Historic allegation of child rape by a man at Kildare Court

On Wednesday, May 16, Naas District Court heard an alleged rape allegedly committed by a then-teenager in Kildare.

The man, now an adult, appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan in court where he was charged with one count of rape of a child he knew at the time and four counts of indecent assault against the same child at the time.

It was heard that the alleged victim was now an adult.

Judge Zaidan noted that the allegations were “very serious.”

The man’s lawyer, David Powderly, told the court that his client “strongly denies” ever committing the offenses.

The defendant was granted bail subject to a number of conditions: he had to surrender his passport; he must provide gardaí with his telephone number and be contactable at all times; he has to register at his local Garda train station twice a week; he must pay his own deposit of €500; and he must stay away from a specific area of ​​County Kildare (this area was communicated to the defendant by gardaí present in the courtroom).

Because the two parties are known to each other, Judge Zaidan imposed reporting restrictions on the case to protect the identity of the allegedly aggrieved party.

The judge adjourned the matter to a date in June to allow time for a book of evidence to be prepared.

He also gave both parties the freedom to re-enter the case at short notice.

If you are affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Samaritans Ireland at [email protected]. or by phone on 116 123, or during a visit pieta.ie (1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444).

Further resources can also be found at the Rape Crisis Center at http://drcc.ie.

Resources for young people concerned about sexual violence can be found at https://www.childline.ie/