Additional charges of sexual assault have been proffered against two Jordanian men already accused of the rape and false imprisonment of a woman at Ceannt Station on August 1 last.
Both defendants appeared in person before Judge Fiona Lydon at Galway District Court on Wednesday, September 23. An Arabic interpreter was in court to assist with translating the proceedings. The two men arrived in custody from prison.
Before the court on Wednesday, both defendants were formally arrested just after 11am on the new sexual assault charges which, it will be alleged, took place on August 1 at Victoria Place, Galway. The rapes and false imprisonment are alleged to have taken place at Ceannt Station on the same date.
One defendant faces two charges of rape, false imprisonment and sexual assault, while the other faces one charge of rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment.
They were formally cautioned by the arresting detectives on the new sexual assault charges and made no reply after caution. They were both handed copies of the charges.
Reporting restrictions were again confirmed to protect the identity of the alleged victim. Both defendants, aged 25 and 27, were granted free legal aid and there was no State objection to this.
Donal Cronin BL (defending ) advised by Sarah Ryan, solicitor, Limerick, said there was no application for bail at this juncture and reminded the court that bail had already been refused at Galway District Court, and again when it was applied for in the High Court. He said the defence was reserving its position on the matter of bail at this juncture.
Mr Cronin asked that the prosecution expedite the completion of the book of evidence and have it presented to the accused as soon as possible so they could decide whether to go forward on a signed guilty plea to the Criminal Courts of Justice for sentencing, or to decide on their defence if pleading not guilty. The court was told the DDP had consented to both going forward on a signed guilty plea if they so choose.
The prosecuting Garda Sgt assured the court that there would not be an issue expediting the books of evidence on the part of the State.
A book of evidence consists of the details that the prosecution will be presenting in the cases against both accused. The books must be formally handed over to the defendants and their legal team to facilitate the preparation of their cases.
Judge Lydon issued a disclosure order of all evidence gathered in order for the defendants to decide if they would go forward on an signed guilty plea or contest the charges.
She adjourned matters until Monday next, September 28, where both accused will appear before her at Galway District Court via video-link from prison.
