An Armagh All-Ireland winner accused of multiple sexual offences will go on trial early in the new year, a court heard on Friday.
Aidan Nugent, 32, of Cullyhanna Road in Newtownhamilton, is accused of committing the offences in November, 2024, during a trip to Miami, Florida, by the Armagh football team.
Mr Nugent is charged with seven counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration, all against the same complainant. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The offences are alleged to have been committed in a hotel in Miami during a trip by the football team following its All-Ireland victory over Galway in July, 2024.
His trial was due to begin on November 9 but was put back after issues were raised around the personal circumstances of one of his legal team and questions around telecommunications evidence.
But Judge Paul Ramsey, at a short hearing in Newry Crown Court on Friday, during which Mr Nugent was not in attendance, made clear he wants to “expedite” the trial date.
A date for early in the new year will be fixed at a further review hearing to be held on November 9, the court heard.
Judge Ramsey said the case would “get priority over other trials”. The prosecution noted the number of civilian witnesses and the distress caused by delays.
The judge, referring to the personal situation of counsel, added: “It’s my practice where, in a high profile long-running case, if counsel have to change, or be brought in at the last minute as it were, I don’t think that’s a very good idea and therefore I would be amenable if the case had to come out because of your personal situation.”
