Teenage boy in the Midlands in court accused of rape and defilement

A teenager appeared in court accused of defilement, rape and sexual assault in Laois. 

The boy aged 17, who has an address in Laois and cannot be named for legal reasons, was accompanied to a sitting of Portlaosie District Court by his mother and father. 

He is accused of two counts of rape of a female at an address in Laois on January 7, 2023, defilement of a child under the age of 15 on the same date, and sexual assault of a female on the same date. The teenager is also accused of the rape and sexual assault of a female at an address in Laois on January 28, 2023.  

Garda Sergeant Ger Doolan said he had charged the defendant on that date. He said the boy was handed a true copy of each charge. “There was no reply to each individual charge,” he said. 

Judge Patricia Cronin asked Sgt Doolan if the DPP had issued directions in the case. 

“Prosecution on indictment before the Central Criminal Court,” he replied. 

He told the court there was no objection to bail on condition that the defendant have no contact with the alleged injured party either directly or indirectly. 

Judge Cronin asked how long it would take to prepare the book of evidence in the case. 

Sgt Doolan said the book would take six weeks to prepare. 

Judge Cronin granted bail and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on September 25. She said bail was being granted on condition that the defendant have no contact either directly or indirectly, including by social media, with the alleged injured party. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald requested legal aid in the case. He said his client had a summer job and pays rent. Judge Cronin granted legal aid and imposed reporting restrictions.