A grandfather accused of sexually assaulting two women he never met after coming to Dublin on a family visit has been held on €25,000 bail.
The man, 54, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday following a Garda investigation into two incidents at the same apartment complex in south Dublin on October 27th and 20th last.
He is accused of carrying out two sexual assaults. Objecting to bail, Garda Eoin Holland said the accused, a foreign national, was a flight risk.
The court heard the accused, who has yet to enter a plea, recently came to Ireland with his wife to visit family members.
It was alleged that on October 27th, a woman living in the complex was sitting in the communal area at around 3pm and was approached by the suspect, who spoke to her in his language.
The court heard that the suspect then grabbed her by the face and started kissing her.
She tried to leave, but it was claimed that he grabbed her by the cheeks and kissed her again. She managed to leave and went outside, where he followed her.
Garda Holland told the court that one week earlier, the other woman was in the communal area at 1pm getting a cup of coffee when she was approached from the right-hand side.
The court was told: "He went to shake her hand and then straight away grabbed her by the back of the neck and started licking the side of the face and sticking his tongue in the corner of her mouth."
The court heard that she pleaded with him to stop and tried to push him off when he grabbed her right breast and crotch area; she pushed him off her, but he grabbed her hand and put it on his crotch before she got away.
Judge Finan heard both incidents were on good quality CCTV, and neither woman was known by the suspect, who was arrested on Friday at a relative's address in Dublin.
Questioned by defence barrister Kevin McCrave, the garda agreed the man had been staying with relatives in south Dublin.
He agreed that the man, who did not address the court, had no prior convictions in Ireland but added that gardaí were awaiting a response from Interpol on whether he had a criminal record abroad.
Mr McCrave, instructed by solicitor Niall O'Connor, submitted that he had to enunciate his client's presumption of innocence, giving rise to a presumption in favour of bail.
Judge Finan held that the objections based on flight risk were well founded but noted further defence submissions that a surety could be offered to alleviate the court's concerns. Counsel said his client's son in Ireland was in employment and could try to stand bail.
Judge Finan said it would have to be substantial and then set the surety at €25,000 with a bail person yet to be approved.
Once taken up, the accused must surrender his travel documents, not leave Dublin or go near the alleged crime scene and victims, not contact them, and sign on twice daily at a garda station.
The defendant, who listened to the proceedings with the aid of an interpreter, did not address the court and has still to enter a plea.
He was granted legal aid, remanded in custody with consent to bail and will appear again on December 5th.
