KILDARE: Man faces 73 claims of sexually assaulting niece

A man facing 73 allegations of sexually assaulting a niece has appeared in Naas District Court.

The defendant, aged in his sixties, faces remained silent when the charges were put to him in a garda station.

Detective Garda Christine Brady said it would be alleged that the incidents took place on dates between 1994 and 1997 and the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided the case would be heard at the Circuit Court.

Defending barrister Mark Gibbons said he did not require the garda to go through each charge in court.

The garda also said that the incidents relate to alleged touching of genitalia outside the clothing and she had given him a copy of each charge.

The court was also told that the injured party, who was present in court, had babysat for the man for a number of years and most of incidents took place on the way home.

The court was told there was no objection to bail, his own bond of €1,000, provided that the defendant notify the gardaí of phone number, which he has done.

He must not have any contact directly or indirectly with the injured party or any witness, keep his phone charged and be available to take calls from the gardaí at any time.

Judge Desmond Zaidan told the man that if these conditions were not observed then bail might be revoked and “it will be very hard to get it in the High Court.”

The case was adjourned for the preparation of a book of evidence to April 5.

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