Man charged with 42 counts of sexual abuse of minor

A MAN appeared at Cavan District Court charged with 40 counts of having sex with an underage girl and other sexual offences.

He cannot be named to protect the identity of his alleged young victim whose age was also not given in court.

All but one of the sexual abuse offences are alleged to have taken place at the man’s place of business in the county over the 12 months between January 2023 and January 2024 when the girl in the case was aged under 17 years.

The man, who is in his 50s, is also charged with one count of exploiting a child on February 12, 2023, and using information and communication technology to sexually exploit a child between February 12, 2023 and May 5, 2024.

The man was released on bail with strict conditions after the hearing on July 24 to allow time for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prepare a book of evidence in the case.

Until he appears back at the same court on October 23, 2025, he has to reside at his current address, sign on daily at a designated garda station, notify gardaí if there is any change to his residence, have no contact with the alleged injured party and surrender his passport.

He was also ordered to lodge the sum of €200 in bail recognisance.

When Gda Kevin Clancy arrested the man for the purposes of formally charging him before his court apperance last Thursday, the garda said the man made “no reply” to each of the 40 defilement and two exploitation charges put to him.

The case was adjourned to the Cavan District Court on October 23, when it is expected the DPP will serve a book of evidence on the matter.