A man charged with the rape of a vulnerable elderly woman in county Longford in February has been further remanded in custody pending a report from Forensic Science Ireland. The man in his 30s, who cannot be named due to the nature of the charges, appeared via video link today at Longford District Court. Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the state, told Judge Bernadette Owens that the file has not yet been sent to the DPP for directions, but is "at an advanced stage". Detective Garda Rachel Duignan confirmed that she is waiting for a report from Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) and the file will be ready once that has been received.
The man is charged with one count of rape under section 48 of the Offences Against a Person Act, 1861, and two counts of rape under section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990. It is alleged that the rape occurred on February 25, 2025, at the home of the victim. The accused is unemployed and currently on social welfare. Mr Frank Gearty told the court that his client was consenting to a four week remand in custody. He will reappear before Longford District Court on May 13. Judge Owens stated that she expects progress on that day.
