AN Arabic interpreter was employed to explain the proceedings of Galway District Court to a man accused of false imprisonment and serious assault, when he appeared before Judge Fiona Lydon via video-link from prison at Monday’s (October 5 ) sitting of the Court.
The State may be considering more serious charges. This case is not connected with the prosecution of two Jordanian men accused of rape and false imprisonment at Ceannt Station.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast said this was a very complex case and asked for it to be adjourned until November to allow for the DPP to compile a Book of Evidence. At this stage the charges are false imprisonment and assault causing harm against the 36-year-old whose name is not being used to protect the identity of the alleged victim.
Gardaí objected to bail at the accused’s first court appearance, when Detective Garda Greg Gander said the alleged victim made a statement to Gardaí alleging she had been assaulted, sustained injuries and was falsely imprisoned.
He said these injuries, it will be alleged, included extensive bruising to the alleged victim’s head, face, torso and arms.
The in-camera hearing was told it will be alleged the man locked the woman into an upstairs bedroom in the early hours on August 16, and the woman was only released when Gardaí attended the scene, 14 hours later.
Detective Gander told the court that during this “serious ordeal” the woman contemplated jumping from the upstairs bedroom window, such was her level of fear.
If the Book of Evidence is completed, Sgt Prendergast said on Monday, he would ask for the defendant to be brought before Galway Court for it to be presented to him.
Judge Lydon agreed and adjourned matters until the November 2 sitting. She added that if the Book of Evidence was not completed by then, the defendant could appear via video-link again.
Through the Arabic interpreter the defendant stated that he had no contact with his defence team for two months.
His barrister, advised by Sarah Ryan solr, Limerick, assured him that they would be in touch with him in a few days.
Adjourning matters the Judge certified for an Arabic interpreter to be present again in Court on November 2.
