An unemployed man gave two false statements to gardaí claiming he was sexually assaulted by X-Factor judge Louis Walsh in a Dublin nightclub, a court heard today.
Leonard Watters (24), from Navan, Co Meath, was arrested in June after allegedly making an unfounded claim to gardaí that the music manager groped him in the toilets of the Krystle nightclub, after a Westlife concert in the O2, earlier this year.
He was charged under Section 12 of the Criminal Law Act 1976 at Dublin District Court on June 29th with making a false report to gardaí at Harcourt Terrace Garda station on June 20th.
Mr Watters, a father of two, had been remanded on bail subject to conditions which stated he had to stay away from the Krystle nightclub and have no contact of any form with Walsh, members of Westlife band or any potential witnesses.
He made his second court appearance today, during which Det Insp Michael Cryan told Judge Cormac Dunne that an additional charge has been brought. The new charge alleges he made a second false report to gardaí at his home on June 28th.
The court heard Mr Watters had nothing to say in reply to the caution.
Solicitor for the State Ciara McCann told Judge Dunne that the DPP had directed “summary disposal on a guilty plea” meaning the case should be dealt with at District Court level if Mr Watters admits the offence.
Judge Dunne then asked to hear an outline of the evidence to decide whether the District Court would accept jurisdiction to hear the case.
Det Inspt Cryan told Judge Dunne: “It is alleged that Mr Watters made two statements to An Garda Siochana that he was sexually assaulted by Louis Walsh in a Dublin nightclub.”
Det Inspt Cryan added that the claims were false.
Judge Dunne accepted jurisdiction.
Defence solicitor Cahir O’Higgins then applied for disclosure of the State’s evidence. He requested copies of the videos of Garda interviews with his client, the CCTV footage from the nightclub and its environs, and his client’s statements to gardaí.
“There is quite a lot of CCTV evidence, that will take some time to copy,” Det Inspt Cryan said. He added he was satisfied that he would be able furnish the defence with all the material they were seeking within eight weeks.
Mr O’Higgins also said his client had been examined by doctors in the Mater hospital in Dublin, and that he was seeking their notes.
Judge Dunne said that was a matter for the defence but Det Inspt Cryan informed the court that he has a copy of a medical report.
Legal aid was granted to Mr Watters after the judge was told he was unemployed and in receipt of €188 from a “disability payment” and he paid €30 a week in rent.
Mr Watters, who was dressed in black trousers, a dark jumper, black shoes and a white shirt, remained silent and was not required to speak during the brief hearing.
Judge Dunne remanded him under the same bail terms as set earlier to appear again on November 2nd next when he is to indicate his pleas to the charges.
A District Court conviction for making a false report to gardaí can result in a fine or a sentence not exceeding 12 months.