A DANCE teacher has been charged with making a false accusation that he was groped by X-Factor judge Louis Walsh in the toilets of a Dublin nightclub.
Leonard Watters (24), a father of two from Navan, Co Meath, of no fixed address, was arrested in his home town on Tuesday, after allegedly making an unfounded claim to the Garda that Mr Walsh had assaulted him in the Krystle nightclub, after a Westlife concert in the O2 in April.
He was brought before Dublin District Court yesterday afternoon and charged under section 12 of the Criminal Law Act 1976 for making a false report to gardaí on June 20th last at Harcourt Terrace Garda station in Dublin.
Mr Watters was not required to speak during the brief hearing.
Det Insp Michael Cryan told Judge William Early that Mr Watters was charged at Pearse Street Garda station in Dublin at 11.31am. In response to caution, the defendant said “no reply”.
“He was then handed a copy of the charge,” the court heard.
Judge Early was told that there was consent to conditional bail being granted to Mr Watters.
“The only objection is in relation to the address, an address has to be supplied,” Det Insp Cryan said.
He asked the court to impose bail conditions on the defendant. “To stay away from the Krystle nightclub and have no contact of any form with Louis Walsh or members of the Westlife band or any potential witnesses in this case.”
Defence solicitor Stephen O’Mahony said an address was forthcoming and would have to be confirmed by the Garda.
Det Insp Cryan agreed and told the judge: “Once the person says he is welcome to stay there.”
Judge Early agreed to impose the conditions and set bail in Mr Watters own bond of €300.
In relation to legal aid Mr O’Mahony said: “There is no application at the moment.”
Mr Watters took up bail shortly after the hearing. He was ordered to appear again on September 7th next pending directions from the DPP.
A conviction for making a false report to the Garda can result in a fine or a sentence not exceeding 12 months. Conviction on indictment after a jury trial carries a possible sentence of up to five years.