Man appears in Letterkenny court charged with the human trafficking of a child

A man has appeared in court charged with the human trafficking of a child.

Viorel Tanase appeared before Letterkenny District Court on a number of charges. The 31-year-old was arrested by detectives following the alleged incidents in 2016.

Tanase is charged that between March 21, 2016 and April 17, 2016, in the area of Donegal, he did traffick a child for the purpose of exploiting said child.

He is specifically charged that he did traffick a person for the purpose of exploiting said person, took advantage of the vulnerability of the trafficked person to such extend as to cause them to have no real acceptable alternative but to submit to being trafficked.

He is also charged that he trafficked a person for the purpose of exploiting the said person, did take advantage of the vulnerability of the trafficked person as to cause them to have no real acceptable alternative but to submit to being trafficked.

Tanase is also charged that on April 11, 2016 at Ballyhooley, Raphoe, he did intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct by intentionally driving a vehicle at high speed in a dangerous manner, causing an RTC in order to threaten three people which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.

Detective Garda Bernard Mullins gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of the accused on four arrest warrants.

When arrested and charged, Tanase replied: "No sir."

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the accused be sent forward for trial by indictment.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Rory O'Brien, told the court that Gardai had no objection to bail for Tanase, with an address at Greenfields, Convoy. However, a number of conditions were specified by the court.

Detective Garda Mullins said the accused had already surrendered his passport but asked for a direction that he not apply for a new passport. The court also directed that a bond of €4,000 including a €2,000 personal bond and a €2,000 surety be lodged in court on behalf of Tanase.

He was also ordered to provide a phone number and sign on once a week at Middleton Garda Station in Co Cork and not to have any contact with any of the witnesses in the case.

The court was also told there is a co-accused who will appear before the courts at a future date. Judge Deirdre Gearty asked when the book of evidence in the case is expected to be ready. Sergeant Collins asked for the case to be adjourned until October 28 to tie in with the other accused person.