Man refused bail on rape charge

An international sportsman who is charged with raping a girl under the age of 15 was refused bail at Galway District Court yesterday…

An international sportsman who is charged with raping a girl under the age of 15 was refused bail at Galway District Court yesterday.

The 24-year-old man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is charged with the unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl at Salthill, Galway, on February 3rd last.

The accused man, a non-national, said he would stand trial as he believed he was innocent. If given bail he would have employment here because he was a professional sportsman.

However, this was denied by a Garda witness. Refusing the bail application, Judge John Garavan remanded the man in custody to appear again on March 6th.