Elderly man accused of indecently assaulting boys in Laois

An elderly man has appeared in court in Portlaoise accused of indecently assaulting boys in Laois in the 1970s and 1980s. 

The man(89), who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions, faces 44 counts of indecent assault on boys at a location in Laois between 1978 and 1989. 

The man, who was walking with the aid of a crutch, was brought before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Detective Garda Elaine Conlon said she had charged the defendant in the body of the courthouse. 

She said in reply to each of the charges after caution the accused said: “I deny every one of them. They are complete lies.” 

Judge Andrew Cody noted “these are historical matters going back some time.” He imposed reporting restrictions and said that due to the nature of the allegations the defendant cannot be identified. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was a serving prisoner as he requested legal aid. 

Judge Cody granted the legal aid and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on October 6 for service of the book of evidence.