Man appears in court over rape at Ennis leisure centre – The Irish Times

A 33-year-old man appeared in court accused of raping a woman at a local authority-run leisure centre in Ennis two years ago.

The man, whose identity cannot be proven for legal reasons, appeared before Ennis District Court charged with raping a woman at Active Ennis Leisure Centre on Sandfield Road on 13 August 2022, which is an offence under section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990.

The centre is owned and operated by Clare County Council and has a swimming pool and a gym.

In court, Det Garda Conor Flaherty of the Protective Services Unit (PSU) of the Clare Garda Division gave evidence in connection with the arrest, charging and caution.

He said he met the defendant by appointment in court in Glentworth Street, Limerick, and charged him with a single count.

He said the defendant, who required an interpreter for the trial, did not respond to the charges.

The address of the man on the indictment is an address used by the State to accommodate applicants for international protection (IP) in Limerick.

Daragh Hassett, counsel for the defendant, told the court that his client now lives and works in County Cork.

Sergeant John Burke of Ennis Garda Station said the Attorney General had ordered the case to be referred to the Central Criminal Court.

Given the seriousness of the charges, Mr Hassett applied for legal aid to represent his client and Judge Alec Gabbett granted this.

Mr Hassett said bail conditions had been agreed and recorded in writing, including that the defendant stay away from Ennis and have no contact with the alleged victim.

Det Garda Flaherty said the defendant had also agreed to surrender his passport at a Garda station in County Cork.

Judge Gabbett remanded him on bail and ordered him to appear in court again on 4 September.