Dublin taxi driver charged with raping a young woman in his vehicle while driving her home after a night out has been granted bail - with strict conditions.
The man, in his 40s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Dublin District Court this afternoon charged with raping the woman in the backseat of his taxi while dropping her home on August 9 in north Dublin.
Detective Garda Ultan McIlroy of Balbriggan Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
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He arrested the married man on Tuesday, August 23 at 8.20pm and charged him with rape. He said the accused made ‘no reply’ after caution.
The court heard it is alleged the taxi driver picked the young woman up outside a Dublin city centre venue in the early hours of the morning after allegedly turning down a fare from a male.
It is alleged the taxi driver drove around north Dublin aimlessly for 13 minutes before stopping the car and allegedly exiting the driver’s door.
He is then alleged to have got in the rear passenger door and allegedly raped the woman “for eight minutes.”
Det Gda McIlroy said it is alleged the taxi driver then got out of the back seat of the taxi and returned to the driver’s seat.
He is then alleged to have searched his phone for the woman’s home address and dropped her home.
Det Gda McIlroy said after all the alleged evidence was put to the taxi driver, the taxi driver claimed “sexual contact was consensual.”
He said there is also CCTV footage placing the accused in the taxi.
He told Judge Patricia Cronin he has objections to the accused being granted bail which includes that he may commit serious offences if granted bail
