Bench warrant issued after rape accused fails to appear in court

A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of a 64-year-old man accused of rape when he failed to appear at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Cork.

No evidence was given on the background to the case, but the alleged rape of a male refers to an unspecified date between 1994 and 1997.

The same defendant, who is now 64 years of age, also faces five sexual assault charges from around this time in relation to the same complainant.

The matter was on the list for a call-over at the Central Criminal Court sitting for trial dates to be given to several cases.

Prosecution senior counsel Tom Creed said the defendant, who is on bail, was not present in court, where he was represented by defence senior counsel Ray Boland.

Ms Justice Eileen Creed issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant, on the application of the prosecution.