Rosscarbery man in court charged with sex assaults

By Donal McMahon

A ROSSCARBERY man has been charged with multiple indecent sexual assaults on three young south Armagh males.  

Vincent O’Grady (47) of Rosscreena South, Rosscarberry, is also accused of three counts of gross indecency with a male and charges of attempted buggery without consent on dates from 1988 to 1995.

The accused appeared via video link from Maghaberry prison to Newry magistrates court in November.

A PSNI detective constable objected to a bail application for the defendant on charges of historical child abuse.The court was told that Mr O’Grady had attended an arranged police interview in Newry PSNI station.

The officer raised fears of the defendant absconding to the south and also to an address in the USA, where he had previously worked for some time and had contacts. There was no suitable address given for the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland.

The accused was also said to own property in south Armagh, with the possibly of selling such property to fund a flight from the jurisdiction.

There was also a fear that the defendant may interfere with the witnesses in the case of which there are 14 ready to give evidence.

The detective constable also raised an issue with Mr O’Grady returning to work in a Co Cork hotel, where he may be in contact with children. 

Defence said his client voluntarily came up to the North by arrangement, with all the police investigations completed into the case.

Counsel added that Mr O’Grady’s passport was out of date and he had not worked in the US for eight years. A surety was offered from the defendant’s wife, who was said to work for a ‘government body in the south’ and could police any bail conditions set.

District judge Eamonn King raised his concerned about the accused’s place of work and asked for the police to inform his employer of the charges against him to put in place child protection steps.

Bail of £2,500 was given, with a surety of £2,500. Mr O’Grady must sign on at Bandon garda station once a week and have no contact with minors or any of the alleged injured parties or witnesses.