A 23-YEAR-OLD man has been remanded in custody charged with the rape of a woman in Galway city in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The man appeared before a special sitting of Galway District Court yesterday morning charged with raping the woman at Bohermore in the city centre.
Garda Gerard Morrissey gave evidence of arresting and charging the man at Mill Street Garda station. The accused made no reply after being charged.
The defendant, who is from Co Galway, cannot be named due to legal reasons. He was accompanied in the court by his father, and he spoke briefly during a bail application which was opposed by gardaí.
The accused was granted free legal aid after Judge Mary Fahy was told by solicitor Olivia Moylan, defending, that the accused worked two days a week and had no means or property.
Garda Morrissey said gardaí were objecting to bail because of the seriousness of the charge.
Ms Moylan said her client came from a well-respected family and would abide by all bail conditions.
The accused said he would abide by the terms of the court, would hand in his passport and would reside with his parents.
Insp Ernie White applied for the defendant to be remanded in custody to appear before Harristown District Court next Friday.
Judge Fahy refused bail because of the seriousness of the charge and the Garda objection. She remanded the accused to appear before Harristown District Court in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, next Friday.