A Dublin-based garda has been charged with harassing two women over an 18-month period.
Garda Donal Maguire, 38, was brought before Judge Patricia McNamara at Dublin District Court.
The officer had an address at Millbrook Avenue, in Kilbarrack, Dublin, but he was arrested yesterday morning in Bundoran, Co Donegal, where he is living.
The officer faces three charges for harassing one woman at the Jervis Shopping Centre on 7 February and 18 March, and at Tesco in Clare Hall Shopping Centre over a year from 23 September 2012.
He is also accused of harassing another woman at North Great Clarence Street, in central Dublin, between 1 February and 19 March this year.
The father-of-four, who is currently suspended, has not yet indicated how he will plead and was granted legal aid after the court heard he could barely afford to travel back to Donegal.
He has been remanded on conditional bail pending directions from the DPP and will face his next hearing on 8 May.
Garda Inspector Francis Sweeney told the court that Mr Maguire said "nothing to say" after he was charged with the first three offences.
The officer had "no reply" when the fourth charge was put to him, Inspector Anthony Howard told the court.
He also said the two complainants are women and he asked for bail conditions to be imposed.
The court heard that Mr Maguire is estranged from his wife, but she is not one of the injured parties.
The accused is now living with his mother in Bundoran, Judge McNamara heard.
A statement of his means was handed into court and defence solicitor Matthew Kenny said his client is currently suspended and there has been a reduction in his pay.
A statement was given to the judge who was also told that Mr Maguire has "limited means".
There was no objection to bail but Gda Inspector Howard asked for a €200 lodgement.
Mr Kenny, defending, asked for no cash lodgement saying his client can "barely fund the transportation costs back home to Donegal".
He also said that if the lodgement was required his client would have to be remanded in custody.
This would cause the 38-year-old serious difficulty because of his profession, the lawyer said, and the court heard the defendant has recently spent time in hospital.
Judge McNamara released Mr Maguire on bail with conditions that he must not have any contact with the complainants; he has to sign-on three times a week at his local garda station, and stay out of Dublin city and county except for court appearances and pre-arranged consultations with his solicitor or for medical appointments.
Directions from the DPP need to be obtained to determine whether the case should be dealt with at district court level or be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.
