Student (30) accused of performing lewd acts outside woman's work sent for trial
A student allegedly captured on CCTV performing late night lewd acts over three dates outside a woman's workplace in Dublin has been sent forward for trial.
Rishabh Mahajan, 30, from India but with an address in Smithfield, Dublin 7, was charged with three counts under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 for exposing himself to cause fear, distress or alarm to another person.
Dublin District Court had ruled that the case was too serious and should be dealt with at a higher level, which has wider sentencing powers.
Mr Mahajan appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly today, and the prosecution served him with a book of evidence.
Judge Kelly made an order sending him forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on October 9.
She agreed to a request from defence counsel Paddy Flynn, instructed by solicitor Tracy Horan, to grant legal aid to the accused, who remains on bail with conditions.
In an earlier bail hearing, Garda Patrick Hynes told Judge Kelly that the offences allegedly occurred on three dates over a fortnight in October and November last year.
He alleged that the man was masturbating outside the woman's workplace in the city's north side; the incidents took place between 1 and 4 am and were captured on CCTV.
The defence had said the accused maintains his innocence.
The court heard that he came to Ireland last year, lost his apartment, and university place due to the allegations.
Pleading for bail, the defence submitted that Mr Mahajan could not leave the country and would obey conditions.
Judge Kelly had described the allegations as serious but noted he had no history of failing to appear in court, and she ordered him to obey conditions.
He was warned not to contact the woman and that he must surrender his passport, reside at an address furnished to gardaí, and notify them of any change. Mr Mahajan must sign on at a Dublin garda station on a set day each week.
He replied, "yes," to confirm that he understood breaching the terms could result in being remanded in custody and that he must notify the prosecution if he intends to use an alibi in his defence.
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