Homeless man charged with attempted murder of pregnant woman

A man has been charged with attempted murder of a pregnant woman who was severely injured in a sustained attack in Dublin city centre.

The woman, who is in her 30s, required hospitalisation following an incident in the early hours of April 25th.

Dean Paget (32), who is of no fixed abode, was arrested in May and had been charged with four offences against the same woman, at three locations in Dublin 2. He was accused of making a threat to kill or cause her serious harm at Drury Street; false imprisonment of the woman at Montague Lane and assault causing her harm at Montague Lane and Dame Lane.

The charges are contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He made no application for bail at his first hearing and was remanded in custody.

Additional charges were put to him on Tuesday before he appeared at Cloverhill District Court.

They were for attempted murder of the woman at Montague Lane, another count of assault causing harm and a charge for causing serious harm.

Garda Gráinne Collier told Judge John Brennan the accused "made no reply to any of the charges after caution and he was handed copies of the charge sheets".

Mr Paget remained silent throughout the hearing.

Judge Brennan remanded him in custody pending the preparation of a book of evidence. He will appear again in court on September 7th.

There was no indication how he will plead. Legal aid was granted.