Kilkenny school indecent assault - Man ‘shocked’ to be charged
‘Puzzled’: Elderly defendant tells court he is “completely innocent”
An elderly man is “totally shocked” that he has been charged with a number of historic offences at a primary school in Co. Kilkenny.
The man, aged in his 80s, has been charged with six counts of indecent assault on the same person.
All six charges relate to the CBS primary school, West Street, Callan, and occurred on dates between September 1, 1977, and June 30, 1979.
Kilkenny District Court heard the man had been arrested on the morning of the court sitting and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station. Each charge was read to the man and he was cautioned.
In reply to the first charge read to him the man replied: “I’m totally shocked that I’m being charged today. I am completely innocent and I’m puzzled as to why or whom has made this complaint against me.”
In response to the second charge he said: “Same as before,” and in reply to the other four charges he said: “Same reply.”
The court was told that the DPP had directed the six “sample counts” as set out be prosecuted on indictment.
There was no objection to bail for the man. Conditions had been agreed between gardaí and the man’s solicitor to include that he reside at a specified address, provide gardai with a contact number and remain contactable at all times, that he surrender his passport and not apply for any further travel documents unless agreed with gardaí.
The man was remanded on bail to a court sitting in December for the presentation of a Book of Evidence in the case.