Two men accused of Galway rape refused bail

Two men accused of raping an 18-year-old woman in a car parked at Galway's Ceannt Railway Station have been refused bail in the High Court.

The men, aged 27 and 25, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video link and had an Arabic interpreter for the bail hearing.

They are each charged with the rape of a female on 1 August, at Ceannt Railway Station car park, contrary to section 48 of the Offences Against The Person Act and section 2 (1) of the Criminal Law Rape Amendment Act, as amended by section 21 of the Criminal Law Rape Amendment Act.

They are also charged with falsely imprisoning the same alleged victim on the same date and at the same location, an offence contrary to section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act.

The men were remanded in custody after the District Court denied bail last month, but lodged a High Court application for release.

In court today, Detective Sergeant Trevor Shannon voiced objections to bail, fearing the pair were a flight risk.

He told defence counsel that no conditions would alleviate his concerns.

In her ruling, Ms Justice Biggs said she agreed with the detective sergeant.

Ms Justice Biggs said the men face extremely serious charges that could only be tried in the Central Criminal Court.

Earlier this week, their proceedings in the District Court in Galway were adjourned until later this month, pending instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.