Security guard charged with sex assault in fast-food outlet toilet

A nightclub security guard has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a fast-food outlet toilet.

Judge Mary Fahy imposed reporting restrictions at Galway District Court preventing the publication of the man’s name, in order, she said, to protect the woman’s identity.

The man is charged with sexually assaulting the woman in the toilet of a fast-food premises on September 3 last year.

Sergeant Seamus Philpott said the DPP had directed the matter could be dealt with at District Court level on a guilty plea only.

Judge Fahy asked to hear an outline of the allegations being made in order to decide on jurisdiction.

Sgt Philpott said the accused was a security guard in a nightclub and it would be alleged he threw the girl out of the premises.

Later on, he saw her in a fast-food restaurant and followed her into the toilets where the assault took place.

Judge Fahy said that due to the nature of the charge, reporting restrictions would have to be imposed and the accused man’s name could not be published at present in order to protect the victim’s identity.

She then remanded the man on continuing bail to appear back before the court again in October and granted him Free Legal Aid.

Bail was granted on condition the accused make no contact with the complainant or any witnesses in the matter by any means, to include social media.