Man facing trial on charges of raping girl

Andrew Phelan

A MAN has appeared in court charged with multiple counts of raping a girl at a house in west Dublin over a three-year period.

The accused (37) had the case against him adjourned at Blanchardstown District Court for the preparation of a book of evidence.

The defendant is charged with a total of nine counts of raping the same alleged victim at the same location on dates between 2009 and 2012.

Judge David McHugh asked if the DPP's directions were available yet,

Sgt Walter Sweeney told him that the DPP is consenting to the defendant being sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

serious

He also asked for a minor amendment to be made to one of the charges.

The judge extended time for the preparation of the book of evidence and adjourned the case to a date in September.

The defendant's barrister applied for free legal aid and presented a statement of his financial means to the court.

"These are very serious charges," Judge McHugh said.

Sgt Sweeney said there were no garda objections to legal aid, which the judge granted.

The accused man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded on continuing bail.