A murder accused has alleged in court that he was raped when he was a child by the man he is charged with killing.
Alan Harte (36), of Island Quay Apartments, East Wall, Dublin 3, was remanded in custody on Thursday after being charged with the murder of Anthony Rogers on November 6th, 2016.
Mr Rogers was rushed to St James' Hospital after being found injured on the floor of his home at Robinsons Court, Cork Street, Dublin 8 but was later pronounced dead. He was a wheelchair user having had one of his legs amputated.
Gardaí arrested Mr Harte on Thursday and charged him at Kevin Street Garda station. He later appeared before Judge Brian O’Shea at Dublin District Court.
Garda Sgt Brona O’Reilly told the court that after the accused was charged he replied that “Rogers raped me when I was 10 and others and I didn’t kill him”.*
Mr Harte remained silent during the brief hearing and has not yet indicated how he will plead.
Judge O’Shea acceded to a request from defence solicitor John Quinn to make a recommendation that Mr Harte would get psychiatric treatment in custody.
The accused was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on November 23rd.
*Article amended at 6.51pm on November 18th, 2017.
