A 48-YEAR-OLD Co Tipperary man was further remanded yesterday when he appeared on 50 charges of sexual assault.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between September 2nd, 1996 and June 25th, 1997 and involve sexual assaults on young girls contrary to Section 2 of the Civil Law Rape and Amendment Act 1990.
When the case came before Judge Michael Reilly at Nenagh District Court, a solicitor for the defence referred to an order that had been made at a previous sitting in Limerick prohibiting the publication of the names of the accused or the alleged victims or any other matter that might identify them.
He complained about the case being reported in detail on radio and in the newspapers. He said any publication of material which would tend to identify the accused or the alleged victims would be a breach of the order.
Judge Reilly said the charges, under the Rape Act, had to be held in private. He continued: "I would always make an order that any publication of the matter, either the name of the accused or the injured parties, would not be published or any other matter of identification.
"I have always had regard for the integrity of the press and I value their presence in court. I welcome the press in court and, unlike other jurisdictions, this is a jurisdiction where the press is allowed in. "I have always received courtesy and co-operation from the press. I take it that the press won't identify the accused or injured parties after today. I have every confidence that the press will do that." Mr Eugene Tormey, State solicitor, said if there was a complaint of a breach of the order it could be made to the gardai.
The defendant was remanded on continuing bail to Nenagh District Court on May 7th, when the book of evidence is expected to be ready.