Man (77) charged with sexual assault of four-year-old girl in 2022

A judge and jury will hear the case against a 77-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl five times in 2022.

Sergeant John Dineen confirmed at Cork District Court that the accused had been served with a book of evidence today.

Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward to the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court, commencing on October 28.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the accused was on a State pension and free legal aid was extended to pay for a barrister to represent him at the trial.

Sergeant Sheena Dowling arrested the man and brought him to the Bridewell garda station in July where he was charged with the five counts of sexual assault related to a period between January and May 2022 at his home.

Informed that he did not have to say anything but that whatever he might say would be taken down in writing and could be given in evidence, he replied: “I will wait to see my brief.” Because of the circumstances of the case, there is a prohibition on identification of the parties to it.

Sgt Dowling said there was no objection to bail being granted to the accused on conditions. Mr Buttimer said the defence agreed to the bail terms.

Those conditions require him to have no contact directly or indirectly with the injured party and any of the witnesses in the case, to reside at his home address and notify gardaí immediately of any change of address, sign on every day at his local garda station, provide a contact number and be contactable by gardaí at all times, and surrender his passport and travel documents and not apply for replacements.

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