A DUBLIN MAN is to stand trial accused of harassment of RTE’s Sharon Ní Bheoláin and child porn offences.
Conor O’Hora, 40, from Heather Walk, Portmarnock, Dublin was charged on Friday morning at 10.37am with three offences.
He is accused of harassment of the Six One news co-anchor at various locations within the State from 20 October 2013 until 16 February 2014.
He also has two other charges for possessing child pornography in text communications and images over the same time period.
He is to face “trial on indictment” and was remanded on bail pending the preparation of a book of evidence.
This afternoon, he appeared at Dublin District Court before Judge Michael Walsh who was told the man was arrested and charged by gardaí at Infirmary Road.
Judge Walsh heard that “in reply to the charge after caution the accused had nothing to say and was handed a copy of the three charges”.
Judge Walsh was told that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that O’Hora is to face trial on indictment. This means a trial before a Circuit Court judge and jury.
The DPP will also accept a “signed plea of guilty in the district court and be sent forward for sentence” if that arises. However, he has not yet indicated how he will plead.
There was no Garda objection to bail subject to him residing at his present address and having no contact with anyone involved in the investigation.
Judge Walsh remanded him on bail in his own bond of €1,000 to appear on 1 December next when it is expected he will be served with a book of evidence and returned for trial.
The defendant, dressed in a grey jumper, black trousers, a pink shirt and black shoes, was warned by the judge that he must commit no offence, be of good behaviour, reside at his address and in the event of any change gardai had to be notified, and have no contact “directly or indirectly” with the injured party or others involved in the investigation.
“Are you going to give me an undertaking to do that?” Judge Walsh asked. O’Hora replied, “yes, your honour”.
Legal aid was granted after defence solicitor Philip Hannon furnished the court with a statement of his client’s means.
In relation the charges involving children the judge said there were the usual reporting restrictions otherwise the case would be treated like any other.
The prosecution comes following an investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The prosecution comes following an investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Evidence of the man’s arrest and the DPP’s directions was given by Garda Padraic Hanley.
The newsreader was not present of the proceedings.
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