A Galway student has been charged with harassing and stalking a female politician from the west of the country.
Taimoor Abid, with an address at 26 Caiseal Úr, Bóthar Stiofáin, Galway, was brought before the local district court this morning.
He is accused of engaging in acts which caused serious alarm and distress to the alleged injured party.
Detective Garda Mark Kelly gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. The court heard the 22-year-old made no reply when the charges were put to him last evening.
Detective Kelly said the State would consent to bail, subject to strict terms.
As part of those conditions, Mr Abid must sign on at a garda station three times a week, observe a nighttime curfew and surrender his passport.
In addition, he must have no contact whatsoever with the alleged injured party.
An application that he be permitted to go on a holiday to Kuwait in the coming weeks was refused by Judge Gerard Furlong, given the nature of the charges and the State’s concerns that the accused posed a flight risk.
The court was told the holiday had been booked on Monday of this week. The accused was arrested yesterday.
An application for legal aid was approved, after the judge heard that Mr Abid was a student, with no means.
Judge Furlong pointed out that the alleged victim cannot be identified.
Mr Abid is due back in court next month.
