Teen (17) sent for trial over alleged Dublin pub sex attack and attempted rape

Tom Tuite

A teenage boy accused of sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a woman in a Dublin pub has been sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Judge Deirdre Gearty at the Dublin Children’s Court on Monday.

He faces two counts of attempted rape and one for sexual assault of the same female on a date last year when he was aged 16.

Judge Gearty noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed a trial on indictment. Accordingly, she acceded to a request to grant a return for trial order, sending the case to the Central Criminal Court, which has greater sentencing powers.

She advised the teenager, accompanied to court by his mother and solicitor Martin O’Donnell, that he must inform prosecutors within two weeks if he intended to use an alibi in his defence.

The boy, who did not address the court or indicate a plea, will be notified later of his next appearance date, which will be in the next legal term, commencing in October.

Judge Gearty also ordered gardaí to provide copies of interview videos to the defence. She also acknowledged the seriousness and complexity of the case as she granted Mr O’Donnell’s request to grant legal aid to include junior and senior counsel representation.

The boy was remanded on bail with terms set in June.

At his earlier appearance, the court heard that he made no reply when charged, and there was no garda objection to bail with conditions.

Mr O’Donnell said his client had consented to sign on at a Garda station once a week and that he had no contact with the alleged injured party.

The teen was also ordered to hand over his passport to gardaí.

No evidence about the incident was given in the juvenile court, which does not have the power to accept jurisdiction for the case.