A MAN has appeared in court in Co Limerick charged in connection with a sexual assault of a woman in her 60s last weekend.
Liam Smith (21), Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, Co Cork, is charged with sexually assaulting the 62-year-old woman at The Turretts, Rathgoggin, Charleville, Co Cork, on September 18th.
The assault is alleged to have taken place when the woman was walking home from bingo at 9.45pm last Sunday, Newcastle West District Court heard yesterday.
Det Garda Garry Costelloe gave evidence of arresting Mr Smith at his home in Charleville at 7.50am on Wednesday.
Garda Supt Pat McCarthy applied for Mr Smith to be remanded in custody. He objected to bail because of the seriousness of the charge and the possibility of a further more serious charge.
Judge Mary O’Halloran was told Mr Smith earned €400 a week working as a metal fabricator and that he had been living in Charleville with his mother and siblings for the past five years.
When called to the witness box, Mr Smith told his solicitor Cathal Lombard that he would be willing to surrender his passport and abide by any bail conditions imposed.
His mother and members of his family were in court for the hearing.
Judge O’Halloran refused the bail application and remanded Mr Smith in custody to Limerick Prison until September 29th, when he is due to appear before Newcastle West District Court again.
She reserved the question of free legal aid after hearing Mr Smith was earning €400 a week and had €4,000 in savings.