Man appears in court in Portlaoise over alleged indecency on train
Gardaí believe the man was using a false passport
Gardaí say a man who is accused of indecency on a train was using a false passport.
The man(36), of No Fixed Abode, Tipperary, allegedly sat beside a woman on a train, unzipped his trousers and “masturbated beside her” at Thurles Train Station on June 26 last. He was arrested for being intoxicated at Portlaoise Train Station on the same date.
He appeared before an in camera sitting of Portlaoise District Court via video link where he was assisted by an Arabic interpreter.
Detective Garda PJ O’Brien requested a two week remand in custody. He said Gardaí are carrying out enquiries in relation to the defendant’s passport which he said was false. “He is not who he says he is,” said Det O’Brien.
Solicitor Philip Meagher asked through the interpreter if the man was consenting to a further two weeks in custody.
“I wish that we can finish it today,” the man told Mr Meagher.
Mr Meagher told the interpreter to inform the man that “the police are carrying out further investigations in relation to his identity” and in particular, his passport.
“In these circumstances it would not be possible to finalise matters today,” he explained.
“I don’t know what are the charges I am facing today,” the man replied through his interpreter.
Mr Meagher said “he would have been given a copy of his charges by the Detective.”
Through the interpreter the man said that he didn’t speak English. Mr Meagher informed him that he was accused of “public indecency and a Section 4 Public Order allegation which means, under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent that he would be a danger to himself or others in his vicinity”.
Det O’Brien said there were no DPP directions and they would have to be sought in relation to the allegations.
Judge Susan Fay said she would remand the defendant in custody while enquiries were made and DPP directions were sought.
The man said that he just wanted to talk to his family and he asked if there was any way he could get his family's number to talk to them.
Det O’Brien said the man had refused to give Gardaí the code to his mobile phone. He asked if he was now willing to provide the access code. The man said he was but then said “there is no number”.
Det O’Brien said he would discuss it with Mr Meagher after the court appearance.
Judge Fay remanded the defendant in custody to Cloverhill Prison and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on July 16 by video link for DPP directions.