Man accused of sexually assaulting girl (14) at bus stop refused passport for Christmas

Anatol Botnari, 24, of Sorrell Heath, Clonsilla, Dublin, is charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in the city's north side on February 4, 2022.

He has indicated a not-guilty plea at Dublin District Court.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had held that the case should be heard at the District Court level and not sent to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

Judge Treasa Kelly agreed with the DPP and accepted jurisdiction after hearing an outline of the allegations.

The traffic maintenance worker from Moldova listened to the proceeding with the aid of an interpreter.

Garda Conor Garland told the court it was claimed the incident happened between 9pm and 9.20pm on the date in question.

It was alleged, "while standing at a bus stop, he put his arm around the waist of a 14-year-old girl and touched her on the vagina over her clothing".

He was arrested, and a file was sent to the DPP.

Garda Garland agreed with defence solicitor Mark O'Sullivan that the accused had no prior convictions.

The garda objected to a defence request to return his passport, which was seized earlier but accepted that the accused had obeyed his bail conditions since being charged in February.

Mr O'Sullivan said his client wished to go to Moldova to spend Christmas with family, and he would return in early January.

Judge Kelly refused his request for his passport to be given back temporarily and adjourned the case to set his hearing date later.

Earlier, the court set cash bail in Mr Botnari's bond of €750 and ordered him to surrender his passport and stay away from witnesses and parts of north Dublin. He must also sign on daily at a Garda station.