Gardaí have been unable to interview a 10-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted in west Dublin last month, citing “medical advice,” a court has been told.
The 26-year-old accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared for his third hearing on Wednesday via video link before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court, reports Breaking News.
He faces a charge of sexually assaulting a female at Garter Lane in Saggart on October 20th, 2025, following the girl’s disappearance from care.
So far, the accused has not applied for bail and appeared by video link during a closed court session held in-camera, reports Breaking News.
Garda Sergeant Sinead Connolly told the court that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were still pending, adding, “We haven’t yet spoken to the complainant due to medical advice,” and continued, “she is in a secure facility – due to medical advice, we can’t speak to her,” reports Breaking News.
The sergeant also stated, “Unfortunately, it’s out of our hands,” and informed the court that the child had settled well into her new accommodation, reports Breaking News.
Judge Mitchell was told that the investigation file had reached a very advanced stage.
Two weeks earlier, he had ordered a fitness-to-be-tried assessment for the accused, reports Breaking News.
The defence solicitor said his client remained on a waiting list for admission to the Central Mental Hospital, and that no report had been received to date.
He added that his client would not be making a bail application at this point, reports Breaking News.
Judge Mitchell directed the solicitor to inform the accused that the court wished medical professionals to assess him in prison.
He remanded the man in custody to reappear before the same court in two weeks for the DPP’s directions and the fitness report, reports Breaking News.
The accused, who has an interpreter, spoke up in English, saying, “I have a question, I have a question,” reports Breaking News.
The judge reminded him that he was speaking in open court and instructed him to use Arabic so his interpreter could communicate with his solicitor, who then conferred briefly with him, reports Breaking News.
Judge Mitchell told the accused that the case would return on November 19th via video link and expressed hope that he could meet his medical team before then.
The defence must give Gardaí 48 hours’ notice if a bail application is to be submitted, reports Breaking News.
At his first hearing on October 21st, Garda Sergeant Connolly testified that when charged, the man replied: “I have nothing to say,” reports Breaking News.
The case sparked violent scenes in Citywest, Dublin, in the days following the alleged assault, leading to over 30 arrests, injuries to Garda members, and the destruction of a Garda vehicle.
Prosecutions are now under way, and Gardaí continue to investigate to identify others involved at the scene, reports Breaking News.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
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