Bail has been refused for a man charged with the false imprisonment of a woman in Listowel.
22-year-old Muhammed Ahsan appeared before Listowel District Court today facing four charges.
It’s alleged that on Sunday, September 28th he falsely imprisoned and endangered a woman in his car at Clieveragh Road Listowel.
He’s also charged with theft of a mobile phone and dangerous driving in relation to the same incident.
Muhammed Ahsan appeared in person at Listowel District Court wearing a grey tracksuit, an Urdu interpreter was sworn in to the court for the hearing
Detective Garda Shane O’Driscoll told the court that it’s alleged that between 3.10 and 3.30 am on Sunday September 28th that Mr Ahsan dragged a 20-year- old woman by her shoulder through the passenger door of his car.
The court heard that she broke loose from this, before the accused dragged the woman from behind into the vehicle.
It’s alleged that Mr Ahsan opened the front passenger door of the car as the vehicle merged on to the main road, in the knowledge that the passenger was hanging from the car.
The court heard the woman suffered bruising to her body, knees and legs, she was not taken to hospital but was seen by a doctor.
Judge David Waters heard that the woman and Mr Ahsan were not known to each other and CCTV footage showed the accused hiding behind a tree after exiting his car.
Detetive O’Driscoll said where Mr Ahsan was arrested was a few hundred yards from the scene, and the following morning the stolen phone was recovered near this location during searches.
Outlining the states objections to bail he noted that Mr Ahsan arrived in Ireland as an asylum seeker from Pakistan in 2023.
He outlined a witness statement from another woman which said she was approached by Mr Ahsan shortly before the alleged incident.
Defence solicitor Brendan Ahern outlined that his client has no previous convictions, the 22-year-old has his own business in Listowel, is married and has two infant children, which suggest he has ties to the area.
He told the court his client believes the phone was his and that he was trying to retrieve it from the girl
He also noted that a family member had offered a €3,000 cash bond for his bail and Mr Ahsan enjoys the presumption of innocence.
Detective O’Driscoll responded that the accused was co-operative with gardaí to a point.
However, he believes Mr Ahsan does not have ties to the area and is a flight risk, before advising that the accused’s landlord had informed him that Mr Ahsan’s wife and children have vacated their residence in Listowel.
Ruling on bail Judge Waters said he has difficulty and concern with the random nature of the allegations.
He noted the State's concern that the accused would commit further offences if granted bail.
Judge Waters also referenced the serious nature of the alleged approach to another female on the night and refused bail.
He remanded Mr Ahsan in custody to appear before Tralee District Court via video-link on October 15th.
