Former sports figure (77) remanded in custody on 79 sexual abuse charges

Tom Tuite

A former sports industry figure extradited from the United States to face multiple allegations of sexually abusing girls in Ireland in the 1970s and 1980s was remanded in custody on Tuesday.

The 77-year-old man, who cannot be named due to the nature of the charges, is facing 79 allegations of offences relating to the alleged abuse of four girls.

The case features 78 charges of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape at various locations in Co Dublin, including Dun Laoghaire, Killiney and Blackrock from 1971 to 1981.

The girls were minors aged between eight and 15.

Following extradition proceedings at the request of the Irish authorities, he was arrested at Terminal 2, Dublin Airport at 5:56am on Tuesday.

He was then brought to appear before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court.

Dressed in a pale green jumper, grey shorts, white socks and brown slip-on shoes, he sat silently in his wheelchair throughout the brief hearing.

He has not indicated a plea, and there was no application for bail.

State solicitor Rory Staines told Judge Finan that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that he face "trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court".

It was expected that the prosecution's book of evidence would be ready to be served on him when he appears again at the District Court on July 29th.

He faces 41 counts of indecently assaulting and one for attempted rape of one of the complainants, 34 counts of indecent assault of another female, two counts of indecent assault of another complainant, and one charge of indecent assault of the fourth.

The offences are contrary to Common Law.

Garda Sergeant Amy Kelly told the court that after the pensioner's extradition, he was arrested on foot of 79 warrants, taken to Ballymun Garda station, and charged at 7.40 am.

She furnished the court with a document listing the offences and his reply to each charge; however, the judge did not require the sergeant to read out the defendant's responses.

Defence solicitor Tracy Horan told Judge Finan that her client was not making a bail application and he consented to being remanded in custody.

Mr Staines asked that the accused appear before the court in person at his next hearing rather than via video link to be served with the book of evidence.

Legal aid was granted after Ms Horan said, "he is not working; he has no assets". Garda Sergeant Ryan said there was no objection.

The defence solicitor also informed the judge her client required medical assistance in custody because he had no dentures or hearing aid as they had not been brought over from the United States.

The judge noted this information and agreed to add that he urgently get dentures and a hearing aid in the custody warrant.