Donegal man faces trial over alleged assault of granddaughter

A Donegal man is facing trial over the alleged assault of his juvenile granddaughter.

A book of evidence was served on the man’s solicitor at a sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins informed the court that he served the book of evidence on Mr Rory O’Brien.

The accused man cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim in the case.

He is charged with an incident in May 2024 and faces a charge of assaulting the victim and causing her harm, a charge contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

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

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

Legal aid was granted to Mr O’Brien and one legal counsel was assigned.

Mr O’Brien remarked that this is “a case of much dispute” and added: “His family stand united about this allegation”.