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16th Feb 2023

Irish broadcaster charged with defilement of a child gives no reply in court

Ellen Fitzpatrick

He appeared in court this week.

The Irish broadcaster who was charged this week with defilement of a child aged under 17 has given no reply when appearing in court.

The broadcaster in his 30s, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, was arrested and charged on Tuesday following a Gardaí investigation into separate incidents that happened over 10 years ago.

There was no objection to bail when the man appeared before Dublin District Court and reporting restrictions have been applied.

The 39-year-old appeared in court this week and has been charged with offenses that have been alleged to have taken place in Dublin between 12 and 13 years ago with a child under the age of 17, RTÉ has reported.

He has been accused of engaging in a sexual act, oral sex, with a child who was under 17 years of age on 14 December 2010 and on two other occasions on an unknown date in 2010, as well as on an unknown date between August 2010 and 23 January 2011.

The court was also told that the DPP has directed a trial on indictment or that the case can be sent forward on signed pleas of guilty.

He has now been granted bail on his own bond of €500 and on the condition that he has no further contact with the victim.

No legal aid has been applied for and the man is due to appear at the Dublin District Court next month.