Donegal pensioner faces trail over alleged sex offences at his home

A Donegal man, aged in his 70s, has appeared in court charged with four alleged sex offences.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim in the case, has been sent forward for trial at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court next month.

The man appeared at Letterkenny District Court where he was charged with offences which are alleged to have occured his own home between August 26 and 27, 2022.

The accused is charged with two separate charges that he sexually assaulted a female at his residence. This charge is Contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990 as amended by Section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

On another occasion at the same location but in the bedroom of his residence, he is charged that he did sexually assault a female.

He is also charged that he falsely imprisoned a female at the same location but specifically in the bedroom of his residence between the same dates.

This charge is Contrary to Section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, 1997.

The accused man did not speak during the short hearing.

Garda Pauline Doherty gave evidence of serving a book of evidence on the accused at 10.22am on Monday at Letterkenny Courthouse.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions has consented for the accused to be sent forward for trial to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Judge Eiteain Cunningham gave the accused man the alibi warning and made an order returning him for trial.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Donough Cleary, requested one counsel to represent the man "for the moment."

The man was released on his own bail and the case was adjourned to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.