A 21-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the rape of a female in a pub in Galway City centre.

The man is charged with rape contrary to section 48 of the Offences Against The Person Act 1861 and Section 2 of the Criminal Law Rape Amendment Act.

It is alleged he committed the offence at a pub on April 15, 2023.

He is further charged with raping the same alleged victim in a County Galway town on December 17, 2022.

That charge is also contrary to contrary to section 48 of the Offences Against The Person Act 1861 and Section 2 of the Criminal Law Rape Amendment Act.

At Galway District Court, Detective Garda Enda Dowling gave evidence of arresting the accused and later charging him under caution at the Garda North Western Regional Headquarters.

The court heard the man’s reply to the charges after caution was “no comment”.

Sergeant Claire Heneghan told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court.

There is also consent for the accused to be sent forward on a signed plea of guilty, should it arise.

Detective Dowling said there was no objection to bail subject to the accused abiding by certain conditions.

The man must sign on weekly at a local Garda station, surrender his passport and not apply for any travel documents.

He must also not have contact with the injured party or any witnesses in the case.

Defence barrister, Garry McDonald BL, asked that all statements be sent to solicitor, Phelim O’Neill.

Judge Fiona Lydon remanded the accused on bail to appear again on January 12.

The case is subject to reporting restrictions.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme