A homeless man will be given protection in prison after being charged with the rape of two young girls who were lured away from a children’s birthday party. The 30-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was brought before Longford District Court where he faced four counts of rape – two allegations against each of the children. Judge Seamus Hughes remanded the accused in custody until Friday, when he will appear before Harristown District Court. Noting “some marks” on the accused, the judge ordered he be put on suicide watch and afforded “all possible protections”. The judge said at the end of the eight-minute hearing: “I know it’s a rather unusual thing to state but we are all living in the real world.” The suspect, who is originally from Co Galway, was charged at Athlone Garda station last night over alleged attacks on the youngsters, aged six and nine, on Saturday afternoon. The children had been attending a birthday party at a housing estate on the outskirts of the town when they went missing. Two other men arrested following the attacks were released without charge early yesterday. Sergeant Yvette McCormack told the court the accused made no reply to each of the four charges. More than 300 people staged a protest outside throughout the day while the suspect was being questioned by detectives. The suspect was taken from Athlone Garda station in the early hours of the morning after protesters left, and arrived at Longford Courthouse flanked by members of the armed support unit. Today, a smaller group of 50 people shouted abuse at the accused as he was driven away in a Garda van through a car park at the back of the courthouse.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 13:50:27 +0000
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