A MAN has appeared in court charged in connection with the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in north Co Dublin.
The teenager was assaulted in River Valley Park, Swords, last Saturday afternoon.
The accused (22), who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Monday morning and appeared before Balbriggan District Court yesterday.
Judge Patrick Brady granted a request for legal aid for the accused but he rejected an application by defence solicitor John Hennessy for bail.
Garda James Treacy had told the court that he believed the accused was at risk of committing a similar offence if he was granted bail.
Judge Brady remanded the accused in custody to Cloverhill District Court on July 26th and directed medical and psychiatric reports be prepared.