Man (70s) to stand trial charged with 28 indecent assault allegations

A DONEGAL man aged in his 70s is to stand trial charged with 28 indecent assault charges.

The man, who cannot be named as a reporting restriction is in place preventing his identity being made public, appeared before Letterkenny District Court on Monday.

He did not speak during the brief hearing.

He is charged with indecent assault Contrary to Common Law and as provided for in Section 10 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981.

The charges involve three alleged victims.

Detective Garda Emer Hassett gave evidence of charging the defendant on Monday morning at the public office, Letterkenny.

The court was told that in response, the accused said: “I don’t recognise any of those allegations”, in relation to all of the charges.

Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed trial on indictment to the circuit court, and that the director has consented for the accused to go forward on a signed plea.

He told the court there was no objection to bail but a number of conditions were set down by the court, including that the accused reside at an address known to the court, have no contact with the alleged three injured parties or any witnesses in the case.

The accused was also ordered to be contactable on his mobile phone to gardaí on a 24/7 basis, and to be of good behaviour.

Solicitor Rory O’Brien said his application was for the receipt of the book of evidence.

“I’d be keen to make progress on this before the Christmas break,” he said, to which Sergeant Doyle responded that it is possible but unlikely that a book of evidence will be ready in the case by then.

The man was remanded on bail until December 15, 2025 for service of the book of evidence. He signed a bail bond before leaving the courtroom.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and web chat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.