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Armagh All-Ireland winning GAA player in court over sexual assault

Cormac Campbell
BBC NI south-east reporter
Pacemaker Press Aidan Nugent wearing a light blue quarter zip, he has short brown hair.Pacemaker Press
Aidan Nugent faces four charges - two of sexual assault and two of causing a person to engage in a sexual act

A member of Armagh's All-Ireland winning Gaelic football team has appeared in court charged with sexual assault.

Aidan Nugent, 30, of Cullyhanna Road, Newtownhamilton, faces four charges against one female complainant - two of sexual assault and two of causing a person to engage in a sexual act.

The charges relate to an alleged incident during a wider squad trip to the Eden Roc resort in Miami Beach in November of last year.

Appearing at Armagh Magistrates' Court, sitting in Newry, on Tuesday morning, Mr Nugent spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.

Getty Images Aidan Nugent, a dark haired man in an orange Armagh GAA top, lifting the large, silver Sam Maguire trophy above his head with both hands There is a large crowd of fans and teammates cheering in the background. The former taoiseach Simon Harris, a grey haired man in a navy suit, is pictured beside him.Getty Images
Mr Nugent was part of the All-Ireland winning Gaelic football team line up last year

An investigating officer said he could connect Mr Nugent to the charge.

The court heard that an initial contact was made between the complainant and police on 19 November. She attended a station the following day.

Mr Nugent was contacted by police on 10 December - he then attended Banbridge PSNI station for interview. He was further interviewed on 31 March of this year and charged on 14 April.

Mr Nugent's solicitor told the court his client had told police during interview: "I deny the allegation, it was consensual."

Ongoing bail was granted.

The case will return to court on 3 June.