A BENCH warrant has been issued by the Central Criminal Court for the arrest of a 17 year old girl who failed to appear yesterday for the trial of her father, who denies raping her.
The bench warrant was issued by Mr Justice Morris after he heard that the girl had told her maternal grandmother she would not attend the trial.
Under oath, the grandmother said the girl had recently had a baby and was under a lot of pressure. She told her she was not coming to court and claimed her father was "buying her a lot of things" and had offered her a house.
Al earlier bail hearings, Del Insp Michael Canavan told Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, that the girl had been given Garda protection and that her father had "conspired" to have himself shot in the leg to avoid trial.
He was remanded in custody after the shooting because of fears that he would interfere with witnesses.
Last Monday the girl arrived late in court when her 40 year old father pleaded not guilty to five charges raping her, having unlawful carnal knowledge of her and three of sexually assaulting her on November 8th-9th, 1992.
A jury was sworn in to try the case and the trial was adjourned overnight because the specialised video link court was being used for another sexual assault trial.
In the absence of the jury, Det Insp Canavan was granted a court order forbidding the accused man's brothers and sisters from approaching the girl during the trial. He said she had arrived late, accompanied by some of her father's brothers and a sister.
When the girl failed to appear yesterday morning, gardai went to the house where she had been staying. Later, Del Insp Canavan said his officers were told she had left the house on Monday evening, saying she was going to look for a flat with her boyfriend.
Following further legal discussion, Mr Justice Morris discharged the jury and ordered the case to be listed again on May 16th next to fix a new trial date.
He refused an application by Mr Barry White SC, defending, to direct the jury to find the accused not guilty in the absence of the victim.