A 25-year-old man appeared before Cork District Court today charged with the rape of an Australian tourist in the city four weeks ago.
The court heard that the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with rape and assault causing harm at the Bridewell Garda Station in Cork this morning. The attack occurred on grounds belonging to University College Cork (UCC) on November 26th last.
The woman, who is in her twenties, had been out for the night on Washington Street in Cork when she was befriended by a man in a pub. The tourist decided to leave the pub and headed to a B & B where she was staying.
The man offered to walk to walk her home. However, as she walked down the street near UCC he grabbed her by the throat and dragged her in 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.
Garda Denis Lynch told Judge Con O'Leary the victim was only in Cork a few hours when she was attacked. He said he feared the accused would be a "danger to women in the city" if bail was granted in the case.
The defendant pledged to sign on daily at a Cork garda station, surrender his passport and obey a curfew if granted bail in the case.
Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said his client was not a threat to women in the city. He argued that his client has resided at the same address for many years and was unlikely to leave the jurisdiction.
Judge Con O'Leary remanded the accused in custody until his next court appearance at Cork District Court on January 2nd, 2003.