A Dublin man opted for trial yesterday after he was allowed to withdraw his guilty plea to raping a 10-year-old boy.
In October the 20-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to committing the offence between January and December, 1991. However, at yesterday's sentence hearing, Mr Erwan Mill Arden SC, defending, told Mr Justice Lavan that his client requested permission to withdraw the plea and return to a not guilty stance.
Mr Mill Arden said he had held extensive consultations with his client on the issue.
Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, defending, said while a judge had discretion, it was probably in the interests of justice to allow the move.
Mr Justice Lavan granted the application and adjourned the case to July 24th, when a trial date will be fixed. The accused is on continuing bail.