Irish soldier appears in court on rape charge

A soldier in the Irish army has been returned for trial to Derry Crown Court on a charge of rape.
30 year-old Stephen Healy of Meenan Drive, Derry has  appeared at a preliminary enquiry at Derry Magistrate’s Court.
In Court Stephen Healy faced two charges of rape and sexual assault that were said to have occurred on May 10 last year.
The court was told that when the charge was put to him Healy replied ‘not guilty.’
It was accepted that there was a case to answer and Heayl said he did not wish to call any witnesses or make any statement at this time.
He was returned fore trial to September 13.