Further charges for man over violent rape in Letterkenny

A man charged over a violent rape in Letterkenny will face a trial in the Central Criminal Court.

The man, who is aged in his 20s and cannot be named at this time, has appeared before Letterkenny District Court, where he was further charged in connection with the incident at a location just off Lower Main Street, Letterkenny. 

Detective Garda Lorna Doherty gave evidence of further charging the man with further charges at 11.22am at Letterkenny courthouse. The accused man, who is now facing four charges, made no reply when cautioned. 

He was charged with a count of the rape of a woman, contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990. He was also charged that he did intentionally or recklessly strangle the woman.

The charge is contrary to section 3A (1) (a) and 3 (3) of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 (as inserted by section 21 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023).

Previously, he was charged another count of the rape of a woman, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990, and with assault causing harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

A young woman, not known to the accused, was left with “horrendous” and “brutal” injuries in the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October 20, 2024.

The man, who has been held in custody since October, was brought to court by prison officers. He sat in the dock and did not speak during the hearing.

Inspector Tony Byrne told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed prosecution on indictment before the Central Criminal Court. There is also consent for the accused to be sent forward on a signed plea should that arise.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patrick J Sweeney, said his client has not yet indicated a plea. 

Mr Sweeney said that his client is keen for a book of evidence to be served “as soon as possible”.

The book of evidence is not yet ready in the case and could take “a couple of months”, the court heard.

Detective Garda Doherty told a previous special court sitting that the woman suffered a “violent sexual assault and rape”. She said the attack was on a woman who was unknown to the man.

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.

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