A MEMBER of the Garda facing charges of indecent assault and buggery was granted bail at Portarlington District Court yesterday. He entered into a contract not to interfere with his alleged victim.
The garda, who was based in the midlands and has been suspended from the force, faces two charges of indecent assault and two charges of buggery between February 1987 and February 1990, and a further charge of buggery on October 29th, 1994.
He had been remanded in custody at Mountjoy Prison since last Thursday, when an earlier application for bail was heard.
The defendant's solicitor, Mr Brian Hutchinson, said he was renewing his application for bail.
He said the defendant had been made fully aware of the error of his ways and was willing to enter a bond not to interfere with the alleged victim. He said he was satisfied the defendant would turn up for the next hearing.
Judge Mary Martin asked whether any alternative charge was being entered by the prosecution. The State Solicitor, Mr Donal Dunne, said it was not.
Judge Martin asked if the defendant would make a cash surety. Defence counsel replied that they were not in a position to pay in cash but that £10,000 was available in two post office accounts.
Judge Martin said she had no problem with the matter of payment. It was the issue of interference she was concerned about.
After a short adjournment, Mr Hutchinson said the defendant was now in a position to pay a £5,000 surety for bail.
He handed the sum to the court and gave an undertaking to stay clear of the alleged victim, his family and the town where the alleged victim resides.
The DPP said it had no objection to the application as long as the defendant upheld the conditions.
Judge Martin said she was satisfied that the case should go forward and remanded the defendant on his own surety of £5,000, an independent surety of £5,000 and £5,000 lodged in court. She told the defendant he was not to go "next, nigh or near" the alleged victim.
The accused man was remanded on bail until December 10th at Portlaoise Circuit Court.