Man in the Midlands in court accused of threatening to publish intimate images

A man appeared in court accused of harassment and publishing or threatening to share or publish intimate images. 

The man (46), who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of harassment at a location in Laois between April 15, 2023 and June 8, 2023. 

He is further accused of distributing, publishing or threatening to distribute or publish intimate images on a date between May 1 and May 2, 2023 and again on April 15, 2023. 

A Detective Garda said the alleged injured party was an ex partner of the accused. He said the DPP had agreed to hear the case in the district court only in the event of a guilty plea, otherwise the DPP said the case should go to the higher circuit court.  

He said bail conditions had been agreed for the accused. They included that he must have no contact either directly or indirectly with the alleged injured party. 

Andrew Dunne BL, acting for solicitor Barry Fitzgerald,  requested disclosure in the case. He also requested legal aid for his client. 

Judge Andrew Cody ordered disclosure to solicitor Barry Fitzgergerald. He deferred legal aid pending the compilation of a statement of means and remanded the case back to Portlaoise District Court on June 26.