Sex assault case against Armagh All-Ireland winner to be elevated to Crown Court
Armagh All-Ireland winner Aidan Nugent who is on bail accused of sexual assault will have his case elevated to the Crown Court next month, a judge has ordered.
During a brief update in the case against the 30-year-old defendant, a prosecuting lawyer told Armagh Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry today, that 'papers should be ready' to fix a date for the Preliminary Enquiry (PE) — the legal step necessary to return a criminal case to the Crown Court.
The legal representative suggested to District Judge Anne Marshall the PE could be scheduled to be heard on July 22, but that the matter should be reviewed beforehand 'to make sure everything is ready.'
Nugent, from the Cullyhanna Road in Newtownhamilton, faces two charges of sexual assault and two of causing or inciting a person to engage in a sexual activity, namely contact with his genitals, on November 17, last year.
When the All-Ireland winner first appeared in court last month, the PPS revealed a further four charges will be added to the indictment when the case is sent for trial.
Armagh's Aidan Nugent lifts the Sam Maguire Cup after winning the All-Ireland football final last July. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
It's understood that it is the Crown's case that the alleged offences were committed in America when the Armagh GAA team travelled to Miami, Florida to celebrate the team's All-Ireland win after claiming the title for the first time in 22 years by beating Galway at Croke Park in July.
Nugent's defence team has emphasised that during formal police interviews, he claimed that 'any sexual activity was consensual' and that when he was charged with the offences, Nugent replied that 'I deny the allegations — it was consensual.'
The All-Ireland winner had been excused from attending court on Tuesday.
Adjourning the case to July 8 for review, Judge Marshall excused the defendant from having to attend on that date as well, but ordered that he will have to appear for the PE on July 22.
Aidan Nugent arriving for a previous court hearing in May, 2025
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