Man (21) charged with false imprisonment and endangerment of woman in Co Kerry

Olivia Kelleher

A 21-year-old man has been charged with the false imprisonment and endangerment of a young woman in north Kerry.

Muhammed Ahsan appeared before Cork District Court on Tuesday charged with four offences. The charges arose out of an alleged incident outside Listowel in Kerry in the early hours of September 28th last.

He is charged with false imprisonment, endangerment, dangerous driving and theft.

Dt Sgt Shane O'Driscoll told the Judge Mary Dorgan that he arrested the accused for the purpose of charging him at Listowel Garda Station shortly before 7pm on Monday.

The court heard that when the charges were put to Ahsan after he was cautioned, he said: 'No'.

The alleged incidents occurred at or near an address in Co Kerry in the early hours of September 28th last.

The court heard that the endangerment charge related to Mr Ahsan allegedly operating his vehicle in the knowledge that the front passenger door was open and his passenger was hanging out of the vehicle as it merged onto a main road.

The accused, who is a father of two, is also charged with the false imprisonment of the young woman and the theft of the woman’s mobile phone.

The dangerous driving charge arose out of to the alleged manner of driving of Mr Ahsan at an address in Kerry. The charge was brought contrary to Section 13 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Defence solicitor Brendan Ahern did not make a bail application. He said that a full bail application would be made at Listowel District Court on Thursday (October 2).

He said that an independent surety would be available when the case is before the Kerry court later this week. Judge Dorgan said that this was a matter for the court on Thursday. An Urdu interpreter will be present at the next hearing of the case.

Mr Ahern asked Judge Dorgan to direct the media not to publish the address of the accused citing concerns for his wife and children.

Det Sgt O'Driscoll also asked that the name of the woman not appear in print or broadcast media.

Judge Dorgan granted both applications. She ordered members of the press not to publish anything which might identify either party.

She remanded Mr Ahsan in custody to appear in court in Listowel on Thursday. Mr Ahsan, who was wearing a dark top and trousers, was not required to speak during the brief hearing.