Northern Ireland

Man charged with rape in Belfast has fled jurisdiction, court hears

Laganside courthouse in Belfast
Laganside courthouse in Belfast Laganside courthouse in Belfast

A MAN charged with carrying out a rape in Belfast has fled from Northern Ireland, a court heard.

Prosecutors said Interpol are now involved in efforts to locate Romanian national Ionel Covaci.

A judge issued a further warrant for the 24-year-old's arrest.

Covaci, with an address at Florida Street in Belfast, is accused of raping a woman in the city centre on October 12 last year.

He is allegedly linked by CCTV footage showing a man walking away from the scene of the suspected attack near Corn Market, a previous court was told.

Covaci initially told police he could have been in the area because he spent periods homeless, walking the streets with a sleeping bag.

He has denied any wrongdoing and stated that any encounter with the alleged victim was limited to a kiss.

The accused, who was described as leading a "nomadic" lifestyle since leaving Romania four years ago, was granted bail last December.

But Belfast Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that he was last sighted in the Republic back in May.

"The defendant has fled the jurisdiction," a Crown lawyer claimed.

Interpol have been in contact and a European Arrest Warrant circulated for his detention.

"He has yet to be located," the prosecutor added.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall said: "I will issue another warrant. That is not prejudicing anything."