A WEST Cork man charged with the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl on a Local Link bus last year has been refused bail as he waits to stand trial at Cork Circuit Court next February.

The 66-year-old man, who cannot be named, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll at Bandon District Court last week.

Det Gda Martin Harrington of the Protective Services Unit in Dunmanway told the court that he served the book of evidence on the accused that morning.

It is alleged that on May 11th 2024 at an unknown location between Ballinspittle and Kinsale the man sexually assaulted a female on a bus.

Sgt Eimear O’Connell said the Director of Public Prosecutions consented for the accused to be sent forward for trial to Cork Circuit Court on one count of sexual assault.

Gardaí objected to the accused being released on bail due to the seriousness of the charge and their fear that he may commit further offences if released on bail over Christmas. They feared that his alcohol addiction would trigger more offences.

Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said his client’s options were stark in that he could either stay in custody or behave and commit no offences if granted bail.

Judge Carroll granted free legal aid and remanded him in custody to appear at Bandon District Court on December 22nd in order to deal with some public order offences.