A CARLOW businessman facing 204 charges of “the most heinous and serious crimes”, including the rape and sexual assault of seven victims, was brought before Carlow District Court last Wednesday.
The 49-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is alleged to have raped and sexually assaulted the victims on dates between 1980 and 1995.
Carlow gardaí made an application to the local court last Wednesday to have the man remanded in custody until his trial, suggesting they considered him “a flight risk” and in danger of not appearing when the trial is eventually heard before Carlow Circuit Court and the Central Criminal Court.
In Carlow District Court were a number of the man’s alleged victims, while the defendant was supported in court by his wife and members of his family.
However, Judge Elizabeth McGrath granted the man bail, having secured a €5,000 independent surety from the man’s wife, who took the stand to support her husband’s bail application.
There were also a number of conditions placed on his bail, including that he surrender his passport, not leave the Republic of Ireland, sign on three times a week at his local garda station and not make any contact with the alleged victims.