A DUBLIN man facing charges of rape and false imprisonment appeared court yesterday in a wheelchair on his 36th day on hunger strike.
In the Central Criminal Court yesterday, the man (36) alleged he had been subjected to beatings and confinements while remanded in custody for the last year.
He also claimed he had sacked four legal teams because they "were in collaboration with the prosecution" in the case.
Mr Justice Lavan told him his trial must proceed as scheduled on January 22nd. He, directed that the defendant be given a list of solicitors on the Legal Aid panel to give him one last opportunity to retain a solicitor and two counsel.
The judge reminded him that he had dispensed with the services of four sets of defence lawyers, paid for by the people of Ireland. He had also made allegations against everybody he had dealt with.
Ms Maureen Clark, prosecution said the State was confused the defendant's attitude. He had been in custody for over a year and his bail application to the High Court in December had been strenuously opposed by gardai.
Speaking in a barely audible voice, the defendant told the judge he had submitted a document to the President of the High Court outlining his reasons for sacking his legal representatives. He claimed there had been collaboration between them and the prosecution in the case, and they too had been intimidated by gardai in the case.
Since his arrest on January 1st, 1995 he alleged he had been in prisons in Dublin, Cork, Portlaoise and Limerick and had been subjected to beatings and confinements.
The man is charged with three counts of rape and false imprisonment on December 29th and 30th, 1994. He is on remand in Limerick prison.