A former senior Ulster GAA figure was in court in Co Monaghan yesterday on a series of sex assault charges. It was the third court appearance since last October for the GAA man, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
At the District Court in Carrickmacross, he faced 75 summonses for indecent assaults.
The offences related to alleged incidents, involving 11 young boys and girls aged seven to 15 years, from 1958 to 1978.
The defendant sat with relatives in the front of the public gallery until his case was called and he was ushered into the judge's chamber for the in-camera hearing.
His lawyer, Mr Roger McGinley, Dundalk, and the prosecuting Garda officer, Supt Tom Flannery, Carrickmacross, accompanied by Garda Insp Joe Sullivan, Monaghan, were present at the brief hearing conducted by Judge Flann Brennan.
Reporters were allowed access but the judge continued an order prohibiting publication of material that would identify the defendant or the alleged victims.
The man's lawyer said that although a book of evidence was served last month, he required further time for consultations with counsel and requested another adjournment.
There was no State objection and Judge Brennan adjourned the case to a further sitting at Ballybay on February 5th.