Garda on sex assault charge

A garda who has been suspended from the force appeared at Portlaoise District Court yesterday charged with indecent assault. He has been free on bail since first charged last year, but yesterday Judge Mary Martin was asked by investigating gardai to refuse continuing bail because of the possibility of intimidation of witnesses. Bail was refused and the garda remanded in custody to Mountjoy Prison. He is to appear at Portarlington District Court on Tuesday.