A MAN charged with four counts of rape of a girl in West Cork has been sent forward to the Circuit Court for trial.
The charges allege that on a date unknown between October 24th 2024 and January 17th 2025, the accused raped the female at an undisclosed location.
Det Gda Paul Cullen of the West Cork Protective Services Unit told Judge Joanne Carroll that he served the book of evidence, containing eight charges, on the accused at 10.46am shortly before Skibbereen District Court.
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He said the DPP had given a direction that the case be sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for trial.
Four additional charges have been brought, including an allegation that the accused sexually exploited a child.
Another alleged that he ‘by means of information and communication technology used Snapchat to communicate with the girl for the purposes of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 17’.
A further charge alleges that the accused produced child pornography for the purpose of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show.
He is also charged with the possession of child pornography on a mobile phone, namely 13 images and four videos of child sexual abuse material.
The accused, who was in court, was released on bail on condition that he reside outside the jurisdiction and have no contact with the alleged injured party or any witnesses.
Free legal aid was granted. Judge Carroll sent the accused forward for trail to the next sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
