Man faces trial over assault on teenage girl in Letterkenny
The man appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court this week and was told that one week was ample time to find a new legal team
A man who faces a charge of assaulting a teenage girl in Letterkenny has been told by a Judge that not having a legal team will not be accepted as a reason to have the case adjourned.
Seamus Cooley is charged with assaulting Shanan Reid McDaid and causing her harm on October 15, 2017 at Castle Street, Letterkenny.
The case was called at Letterkenny Circuit Court on Tuesday, but Mr Cooley said he was looking to have the charges dismissed on a number of grounds.
Representing himself, Mr Cooley said he was looking for a pre-trial hearing to address 36 or 37 matters including being unable to find a legal team.
The court was told that Mr Cooley, to date, had instructed at least four different legal teams.
However, Judge John Aylmer said that matters cannot be perpetually adjourned because an accused person falls out with their legal teams again and again and again.
He stressed that he could deal with any matters which were brought up at a pre-trial hearing.
He told Mr Cooley that his obligation was to be ready to answer his bail.
Judge Aylmer said that he was putting the case in for hearing next Tuesday, May 9, and could deal with any pre-trial matters then.
The accused said that this was not enough time to find a new legal team.
However, Judge Aylmer disagreed saying this was plenty of time for a defence.