Donegal man (20s) to stand trial on sexual assault charge

A Donegal man has been sent forward to the Circuit Court to stand trial on a sexual assault charge.

The man, who is aged in his 20s, cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of the alleged victim in the case.

A book of evidence was served on the man at Letterkenny District Court.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented to the accused man being sent forward to Letterkenny Circuit Court.

He is charged that he did sexually assault a named woman at a named location in County Donegal in 2022. The charge is contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990, as amended by section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

The man did not speak during the brief hearing at Letterkenny District Court.

The accused is represented by solicitor Mr Donough Cleary.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham made an order returning the man for trial and administered the alibi warning. A section 56 order, relating to videos of interviews, was made.

Judge Cunningham noted that a reporting restriction is in place.

Legal aid was granted to Mr Cleary and two legal counsel were assigned.