Man charged with sexual assault at Letterkenny hospital

A man has been charged sexually assaulting a woman at Letterkenny University Hospital.

The man, who is in his 30s, cannot be named at this stage of proceedings due to the nature of the alleged offence.

The accused man appeared before Judge Emile Daly at Letterkenny District Court.

He was charged with an offence alleged to have occurred on a date in September 2024. He is charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 as amended by section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

Detective Garda Jenna Moynagh gave evidence to the court of arresting the man under section 10 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 for the purpose of charge.

When the charge was put to him, he made no reply, Detective Garda Moynagh told the court. 

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the matter be sent forward to the Circuit Court for trial. The accused could also go forward to the Circuit Court on a signed guilty plea.

Sergeant Collins added that there was consent to bail with conditions to be imposed. 

The accused man has had to surrender his passport and must sign on at a Garda station once a week. He was ordered to have no contact with the alleged injured party or any witnesses. He also had to provide a phone number to Gardai on which he will be contactable at all times.

Ms Nikita McGrath, solicitor for the accused, sought the assignment of legal counsel and asked for disclosure in the case to be provided. The application was granted with one legal counsel assigned in the matter.