Martin O’Keeffe: 74-year-old allegedly sexually touched child in Eurobodalla Shire

A 74-year-old man has been refused bail after allegedly indecently assaulting, sexually touching and grooming a child on the NSW south coast.

The matter was heard in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.

An elderly man who allegedly indecently assaulted, sexually touched and groomed a “very young child” on the NSW south coast has been refused bail by the courts.

Martin O’Keeffe, 74, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday charged with two counts of indecent assault of a child under the age of 16, two counts of sexually touching a child between the ages of 10 and 16 and one count of groom a child for unlawful, sexual activity.

O’Keeffe – who now resides in Victoria – is yet to enter pleas.

The man’s lawyer, Adam Sumbak, made an application for client to be released on bail after he allegedly sexually assaulted a child twice in the Eurobodalla Shire.

The court heard the offences allegedly occurred in 2017 and 2021.

Martin O’Keeffe is being held at the Parklea Correctional Centre.

Mr Sumbak said his client, who is at Parklea Correctional Centre, had a non-existent criminal history and a litany of medical issues which made custody “difficult”.

However, the prosecution strongly opposed bail due to the “seriousness” of the alleged offences.

The prosecutor told the court O’Keeffe allegedly knew the potential consequences of his alleged conduct, saying the man allegedly told the victim “don’t tell anyone” or he would end up with “huge charges” and “in jail for life”.

“If convicted, [O’Keeffe] will likely end up in full time custody,” the prosecutor said.

However, Mr Sumbak said his client was an elderly man who needed at home support.

“His brother has said he could live with him,” he told the court.

Mr Sumbak also said a condition of the bail could be that his brother drive from Victoria to take him home. He said there would also be a condition stating O’Keeffe would need to stay away from anyone under the age of 16.

Magistrate Michael Love said the allegations were “far too serious”.

Mr Love said the man was residing in Victoria this year when a warrant was made for his arrest in Batemans Bay Local Court.

The magistrate refused bail, given the “seriousness” of the alleged offending and the possibility of full time custody if convicted.

O’Keeffe’s matter will return to court on October 28.

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