A MAN facing sex charges has been placed in custody for breach of his bail conditions after the alleged victim claimed to have been offered £10,000 not to give evidence at the trial.
Judge Patrick Smith said while there had to be some doubt about the credibility of the injured party, it was clear from the accused man's own evidence that there had been contact between them in breach of the bail bond.
Judge Smith added that within the space of just a few seconds in his evidence, the accused first denied there had been any contact between them since the date of a recently aborted trial, and then claimed the alleged victim telephoned him last Sunday.
I have no option but to revoke his bail and place him in custody until his trial," said Judge Smith at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The accused was before the court on foot of a bench warrant issued earlier by Judge Cyril Kelly, who ordered his arrest following the appearance before him, also on a bench warrant, of the alleged victim, who had failed to appear at the aborted trial.
The alleged victim told the court family pressure was the main reason for not appearing for the trial. Family members were opposed to evidence being given against the accused. It was also alleged the accused repeatedly asked that no evidence be given against him.
The alleged victim claimed to have been handed sums of from £30 to £130 on two occasions by the accused after the trial was aborted. The accused allegedly arranged the meetings by telephone.
It was alleged that the first occasion money was handed over was the night after the trial was due to start. The accused allegedly spoke about what had happened in court and about the bench warrant issued for the alleged victim. The £10,000 offer was allegedly made on the second occasion they met.
In evidence to Judge Smith, the accused denied giving money or offering money to the alleged injured party, or of making any attempts to prevent the trial proceeding. Replying to his counsel, he said there had been no contact since the aborted trial.
He claimed the alleged victim made phone calls to his home before that date. He spoke to the alleged victim during some of them, but denied ever discussing the case.
Cross-examined by counsel for the State, he agreed he was aware that one of his bail conditions was not to have any contact with the alleged injured party.
In further cross-examination, he claimed the alleged victim telephoned him last Sunday night to joke about hurling results. He said he had intended telling his counsel but they had moved to another question.