A former figure in the sports industry, extradited from the United States, was remanded in custody on Tuesday after facing numerous allegations of sexually abusing girls in Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s.
The 77-year-old man, who remains unnamed to protect the alleged victims, faces 79 charges related to the alleged abuse of four girls.
The charges include 78 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape, allegedly committed at various locations in County Dublin, including Dun Laoghaire, Killiney, and Blackrock, between 1971 and 1981.
The alleged victims were minors, ranging in age from eight to 15 years old.
Following extradition proceedings initiated by Irish authorities, the man was arrested at Dublin Airport’s Terminal 2 at 5:56 AM on Tuesday. He was subsequently brought before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court.
Wearing a pale green jumper, grey shorts, white socks, and brown slip-on shoes, he remained silent in his wheelchair throughout the brief court appearance. He did not enter a plea, and no bail application was made.
State solicitor Rory Staines informed Judge Finan that the Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered a “trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court.”
The prosecution’s book of evidence is expected to be ready for service when he reappears at the District Court on July 22.
He is accused of 41 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape against one complainant, 34 counts of indecent assault against another female, two counts of indecent assault against a third complainant, and one charge of indecent assault against a fourth.
The alleged offences are violations of Common Law.
Garda sergeant Amy Kelly testified that after the pensioner’s extradition, he was arrested based on 79 warrants, taken to Ballymun Garda station, and charged at 7:40 AM.
She provided the court with a document outlining the offenses and his responses to each charge; however, the judge did not require the sergeant to read the defendant’s responses aloud.
Defence solicitor Tracy Horan informed Judge Finan that her client was not applying for bail and consented to being held in custody.
Mr. Staines requested that the accused appear in person for his next hearing, rather than via video link, for the service of the book of evidence.
Legal aid was granted after Ms. Horan stated, “He is not working; he has no assets.” Garda Sergeant Ryan confirmed there were no objections.
The defence solicitor also notified the judge that her client required medical assistance while in custody, as he lacked dentures and a hearing aid, which had not been brought from the United States.
The judge acknowledged this information and added to the custody warrant that he should urgently receive dentures and a hearing aid.
