A GARDA HAS told a court that if a violent Ennis teenager is released from custody he will attempt to physically harm the girl he defiled.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Sergeant John Casey said that he had “grave concerns” that the 19-year old male “poses a personal risk to the safety of the injured party”.

The teenager has pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual intercourse with the girl on three separate occasions at his address.

The accused has admitted having sex with the girl on three dates between 1 December, 2014 and 31 July 2015 contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006.

The victim was 14 and is aged 17 today.

Statement

Sergeant Casey said that a statement made by the girl to gardaí alleges that the teenage boy – then aged 16 to 17 – threatened her that he would harm her mother if the girl didn’t engage in sexual activity with him.

Sergeant Casey said that the accused disputes that he made this threat.

Counsel for the accused, Padraig Dwyer SC said that his client contends that it “was a consensual affair and that she was a willing participant”.

Sergeant Casey described the accused as “a person of a violent disposition”.

Judge Gerald Keys has adjourned sentencing to allow the victim make a victim impact statement and gardaí were opposing bail for the accused, following his guilty plea, on a number of grounds.

Sergeant Casey said if granted bail: “I believe that the accused will attempt to physically harm the injured party in advance of him receiving a sentence.”

He said that he “has serious concerns if the accused is admitted to bail that he will attempt to intimidate the injured party into withdrawing her statement.”

The sergeant said that there are no conditions that could be imposed on bail for the accused that would allay garda concerns.

However he said: “I don’t believe that he will remain in the locality to deal with the charges before the court.”

The boy’s father was in court for the bail hearing and Judge Keys said that the offences before the court are very serious and generally attract a custodial sentence.

On behalf of the accused, Lorcan Connolly BL said that one factor in this case is that the accused and victim are close in age to each other.

Refusing bail, Judge Keys said that the accused has breached bail conditions in the past and is frequently before the courts.

The accused is currently serving a sentence and his release date is in mid-December. However, Judge Keys remanded the teenager in custody to 18 December for sentence.

Comments are closed as this case is before the courts.