A MAN who is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl on a Local Link bus has been granted bail despite garda objections.

The man in his 60s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Clonakilty District Court on Tuesday.

Det Gda Paul Cullen of the Protective Services Unit in Dunmanway told Judge Joanne Carroll that gardaí were objecting to the accused being released on bail due to the seriousness of the alleged offences. He also said they feared he may commit further offences if released on bail and outlined that he has had three bench warrants issued against him since September.

The court heard that the accused failed to adhere to previous bail conditions by not appearing in court.

Det Gda Cullen told the court that the accused was on a Local Link bus when a 16-year-old girl boarded the bus.

‘He changed his seat and sat beside her and began chatting to her. He kissed her on the lips before allegedly putting his tongue in her mouth,’ said Det Gda Cullen.

‘It is further alleged that he put his hand inside the girl’s top and touched her left breast and attempted to put his right hand into her shorts but failed to do so. He also gave her a can of Guinness and told her his name and age. He also gave her a pillow case.’

When the girl got off the bus she brought it to the attention of another person who contacted gardaí about the incident.

‘Gardaí spoke to her almost immediately and she provided a description of the accused,’ said Det Gda Cullen. ‘He was in the area carrying an exact match for the other pillow case and he was arrested and detained at a garda station but made no admissions to the alleged charge.’

Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said the accused suffered a stroke over four years ago, which led to some cognitive issues and he ‘plunged into alcoholism’. He said his client’s behaviour changed following this medical episode.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said that directions have been received from the director of public prosecutions indicating that the accused would be contesting the case in the circuit criminal court. He sought a two-week adjournment for the service of a book of evidence.

Judge Carroll noted that the accused has already spent 18 days in custody and she was reluctantly granting him bail, but on very strict conditions.

She warned him that he would be held in custody until his case comes before the circuit criminal court in February if he didn’t abide by these bail conditions.

The judge remanded the man on bail in his own bond of €200 to appear at Bandon District Court on December 19th and directed that he observe a curfew from 10pm to 8am, abstain from intoxicants in public and stay off the Local Link bus.

She also directed him to stay out of the towns where the alleged offences occurred; have no contact directly or indirectly with the alleged injured party; be of good behaviour and be contactable by mobile phone at all times.