A 60-year-old man accused of a serious assault and holding a woman against her will at a house in south Co. Dublin has been granted bail.

Ian Gillen of Caryfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, was charged with false imprisonment, assault causing harm and making a threat to kill or cause her serious harm.

The incident is alleged to have happened at a residential address in Monkstown on December 23rd, 2021.

Mr Gillen was brought before Dublin District Court on Saturday, where Detective Sergeant Rachel Kilpatrick objected to bail due to flight risk concerns.

She said the accused had booked a one-way flight to Australia later this month.

Defence counsel Maeve MacCabe said that the accused was cooperative on arrest and had made  it known that he intended to travel to Australia.

The barrister submitted that her client has strong ties to this jurisdiction, and she pointed out that he had family and property here.

Mr Gillen has not yet indicated a plea.

Judge John Hughes noted the objections outlined in court and the circumstances of the accused, stressing that this is an allegation and he had the presumption of innocence.

He said that refusing bail would cause "immense and prolonged hardship" for the accused and his family.

Mr Gillen was released on a €500 bond and ordered him to surrender his passport.

He must also sign in once a week at a Garda station.

Judge Hughes ordered him to appear at Dun Laoghaire District Court on December 2nd to be served with a book of evidence.

Reporting by Tom Tuite

Main image shows the Garda badge logo on a Garda station. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire