Man charged with sexually assaulting teenage girls in the Midlands gets bail despite objections

A man accused of following and sexually assaulting young girls in public and in broad daylight has been granted bail despite Garda objections.

The man, who cannot be named due to the nature of his offences, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court on Tuesday, charged with two separate section two sexual assaults, on two separate dates and with two separate victims.

Garda Thomas Brennan of Mullingar Garda Station gave evidence of both alleged incidents, stating that each charge, on conviction, carries a sentence of up to five years imprisonment.

The two sexual assault incidents are alleged to have taken place on March 6, 2024, and March 23, 2024, respectively, with two separate statements made by the injured parties.

Both alleged incidents took place in public eateries, the court heard, with the first victim, an 18-year-old girl, alleging the accused had sexually assaulted her at approximately 1.30pm, and the second victim (15) alleging he had sexually assaulted her at approximately 4pm.

“On March 6, it is alleged he followed the injured party for about 600 metres,” said Garda Brennan.

“She went into a restaurant and it is alleged he grabbed her backside, down low in the middle, squeezed it and then fled. She recognised him from seeing him earlier. She rang her mother and then Gardaí.”

The accused was arrested on March 11 and interviewed. He cooperated fully with Gardaí, the court heard.

“On March 23, he observed three females and took a shine to one of them. They walked into a restaurant and he followed them. They stood reading a menu and he stood very close to them,” said Gda Brennan.

“He told one of the girls she was gorgeous and put one hand on her backside and the other hand on her hip. He admitted during interview, he was erect at the time. The girl was terrified.”

There was also CCTV footage for both incidents, Gda Brennan explained.

“On March 6, CCTV footage shows the incident in its entirety and shows the accused as described in the injured party statement,” he said, adding that there is also footage showing both the accused and the second injured party in close proximity to where the alleged incident occurred on March 23.

“The 15 year old was in a group of three. He followed them for four or five hundred metres. They weren’t aware they were being followed. He walked a good 20 or 30 seconds behind them.”

The accused is known to Gda Brennan, who identified him via CCTV footage, the court heard.

“He made admissions when interviewed on March 11, and I strongly believe he will continue to sexually assault young girls if granted bail,” said Gda Brennan.

“He explained his urges to us and said he attempted to control them, but there were only two weeks between the alleged incidents and he has not controlled them.

“He admitted to following both injured parties on both dates through the town, and admitted to having an erection while following the 15-year-old girl. He can be seen on CCTV with his hand in his pants.”

Gda Brennan told the court that the accused also admitted having “numerous sexual urges every day with regard to this behaviour” and admitted his sexual attraction to young girls.

Solicitor for the defence, Mr Frank Gearty noted that “every sexual assault is heinous and a gross violation”, but suggested Gda Brennan had “unfortunately dealt with far more serious cases than this”.

“Well those young girls feel like this was a very serious violation on their person,” Gda Brennan replied.

When called to the stand, the accused said he understands his actions were wrong and told the court, “I’ll stay away from young girls and it won’t happen again.”

When Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the state, asked him why these alleged incidents were carried out, the accused said he was “sexually attracted to them”.

“I just wanted to know them and get a hug or a kiss off them,” he said, adding that he felt “a bit happy” when following them and that he’s generally attracted to girls aged 16 or 17.

When asked whether or not he “gave an undertaking” after his first Garda interview not to engage in this type of behaviour, the accused said he did not.

“There are a few worrying points,” said Sgt Mahon, addressing the judge. “This is an adult male following female children around town.

“The alleged incidents occurred in very public areas in the middle of the day. He was interviewed on two occasions and after the first interview he was told not to follow young girls around. He didn’t even remember that when I asked him.

“A worrying fact for Gardaí and the public at large is we’re heading into the Easter holidays, so there’s an element around this time of year that wasn’t there last week.”

The court heard how, upon his arrest, the accused had €30,000 in cash because “he saves everything he gets”, according to Mr Gearty. He would therefore be able to lodge a substantial amount if granted bail.

Judge Owens, having considered the Garda objection to bail, said she was satisfied the objection met the threshold of section 2 of the Bail Act.

However, she admitted the accused to bail upon the lodgement of €5,000 on the condition that he reside at the address on the charge sheet, abide by a curfew of 10pm to 8am, sign on daily, provide a phone number to Gardaí and remain contactable.

He has also been ordered to attend his GP to seek a referral to local mental health services and to engage with treatment offered. He must provide evidence to Gardaí of his attendance with his GP within 24 hours of that attendance.

He also must desist from loitering in the main thoroughfare of the town and stay out of restaurants and shopping centres where a lot of younger girls spend their time.