Directions awaited for man charged over violent attack on young woman in Letterkenny

Gardai say they are still awaiting 'formal directions' from the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case of a man charged with the violent rape and sexual assault of a woman in Letterkenny.

The accused man, who is in his 20s, appeared before Letterkenny District Court by videolink on Monday from Castlerea Prison where he is being held.

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 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 a previous special court sitting in Letterkenny that the woman suffered a “violent sexual assault and rape”.

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.

An application for bail for the accused was previously turned down by Judge Eiteain Cunningham.

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

However, 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.

When the man appeared before the court on Monday, Garda Sergeant Jim Collins said oral directions had been given but they were still awaiting formal directions.

The man's solicitor said they were keen to move forward with the matter but understood the DPP were not in a position to give directions.

Judge Cunningham adjourned the case until December to hear if the directions in the case were ready.