A 25-year old man has appeared before Cork District Court charged with the rape of a young Australian tourist in the city last month.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged at Bridewell Garda station in Cork yesterday morning with rape and assault causing harm. The rape of the tourist occurred on grounds belonging to University College Cork (UCC) on November 26th.
The woman, who is in her 20s, had been in a pub on Washington Street in Cork when she was befriended by a man. She decided to leave the pub and headed to a B&B where she was staying. The man offered to walk her home. However, as she walked down the street near UCC he grabbed her by the throat and dragged her to an undergrowth where he raped her.
The defendant replied, "No I didn't do it," when charged and cautioned in relation to the offence yesterday morning.
Garda Denis Lynch told Judge Con O'Leary that he feared the accused would be a "danger to women in the city" if bail was granted.
He added the accused would probably abscond if released from Garda custody.
Judge O'Leary remanded the accused in custody until his next court appearance at Cork District Court on January 2nd, 2003.