5 days ago
'Wealthy' American accused of sexual assault in Shelbourne Hotel gets more time to consider plea
A wealthy American businessman accused of sexually assaulting a man in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel has been given extra time to consider video evidence and his plea.
The accused, in his 50s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was originally charged in March and granted nominal bail with a series of strict conditions.
His case was back before Dublin District Court, where he had earlier lodged €30,000, allowing him to return to the United States. He did not have to appear on Thursday but was represented by solicitor Luke Staines.
Judge Patricia Cronin noted the defence had to be furnished with video evidence necessary to consider the accused's position. She remanded him on continuing bail in his absence and adjourned the case until July when he will be excused from attending again.
The allegation is that he groped inside and outside a man's shorts in the luxury five-star hotel on a date in March.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed the accused's case be dealt with at the District Court level "on a guilty plea only". Otherwise, he must face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers. The charge carries a possible jail sentence of up to five years.
Detective Garda Cathal Ryan had provided disclosure of evidence to the man's legal team. At his prior hearing, the businessman was told that he must have no direct or indirect contact with the complainant.
On March 28, the court heard that his response to the charge was "it was consensual".
Bail
Detective Garda Ryan had expressed flight risk concerns because the accused was a tourist from the United States with no ties to this jurisdiction.
The detective said the man "has no family friends or any connection to the State", and both he and his partner had "exceptional means" and were "quite wealthy".
The officer explained that the financial implications of bail "would not be an issue for the man if he did not return".
Questioned by the defence, the detective agreed that his client's instructing solicitor had been in touch with gardaí from the outset and indicated he met them by appointment once the DPP's decision was given.
He agreed with the barrister that the accused had mentioned the financial aspect. Gardaí learned his partner was a company director, and together, they had significant means of income.
The detective garda accepted that the accused had indicated that he had no difficulty returning to Ireland for his case.
Accusation
Addressing the seriousness of the accusation, his barrister had said: "The actual allegation related to touching outside the clothes of another man's penis".
Detective Garda Ryan responded: "The allegation relates to reaching inside the shorts of the victim, groping his buttocks and then grabbing his penis from outside his shorts at the same time".
He added that while the DPP stated that the case could stay in the District Court on a guilty plea: "I still categorise it as a very serious offence".
At his bail hearing, the defence barrister had said the man had indicated that it was consensual and if it proceeded to trial in the Circuit Court, the earliest date would be 2027.
Detective Garda Ryan had agreed the accused was co-operative, gave a full account, and answered all questions during his interview. There were no issues during the arrest or any need to handcuff him.
