A man has secured leave to seek High Court orders preventing his prosecution on charges of indecent assault of a young girl. The offences are alleged to have taken place 19 years ago and over a period of 17 months.
The man, who denies the allegations, is in his 60s while the complainant is in her late 20s.
The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Morris, was told the man claims he is prejudiced in the preparation and presentation of his defence because his parents, and a district nurse who had visited the complainant, are all dead.
He also claims the 19-year lapse of time between the date of commission of the alleged offences and the likely date of trial in the Circuit Criminal Court is so great as to deprive him of his right to a fair and speedy trial.