Garda to face two sex-assault trials

A Garda sergeant will face separate trials next year over allegations that he sexually assaulted two female colleagues while …

A Garda sergeant will face separate trials next year over allegations that he sexually assaulted two female colleagues while on duty at a Dublin Garda station.

The officer, who is in his 40s, made his fourth appearance at Dublin District Court yesterday where he faces three counts of sexual assault on dates in March and June 2010.

Reporting restrictions were imposed earlier to prevent the identification of the complainants. This included an order prohibiting publication of the defendant’s name, place of work and where the incidents allegedly occurred.

Yesterday Judge Bridget Reilly refused to order separate hearings in relation to each of the three alleged incidents but ruled there would be two trials.