Breaking: Man (20s) in court over violent rape of young woman in Letterkenny

A man has been charged with the violent rape and sexual assault of a woman in Letterkenny.

The man, aged in his mid-20s, was hauled before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Letterkenny District Court on Thursday evening.

The accused man cannot be named for legal reasons due to the nature of the charges and in order to protect the identity of the victim.

The victim, a young woman who was not known to the accused, was left with what were described as “horrendous” and “brutal” injuries in the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October 20, 2024 at a location just off Lower Main Street.

The man, who has been remanded in custody, has been charged with a count of the rape of a woman, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990.

He has also been charged with assault causing harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Detective Garda Lorna Doherty told the court that the woman suffered a “violent sexual assault and rape”.

Items belonging to the accused, including a zip from her trousers, were found at the scene.

Detectives conducted door-to-door enquiries and witnesses told of hearing a woman scream.

The defendant was later arrested by gardai. During a swoop of the suspect’s address, gardai found items of clothing heavily stained in blood, the court heard.

In opposing bail, Detective Garda Doherty told Judge Cunningham that Gardai believe that there is a strong likelihood of the defendant not turning up to court were he granted bail.

She said the attack was on a woman who was unknown to the man.

Solicitor for the accused man, Mr Mark Durning of Patrick J Sweeney Solicitors, applied for bail on behalf of his client.

Mr Durning said his client was willing to surrender his passport and willing to abide by any conditions the court might impose.

Mr Durning said the matter “hinges on consent”.

Garda Sergeant Michael McHugh said the case had an aggravating factor of violence.

“The issue of consent is compounded by such horrendous injuries,” Sergeant McHugh said.  “The injured party suffered such brutal injuries.”

Sergeant McHugh said the accused man could flee to Northern Ireland even if he surrendered his passport.

Judge Cunningham said the accused man has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Judge Cunningham refused bail, citing the likelihood of an attempt to evade justice, the nature of and degree of seriousness of the offences, the strength of evidence in support of the charges and the sentence likely to be imposed on conviction.

The accused man was remanded in custody to appear before a further sitting of the court.