A 30 year old man has appeared in court charged with four counts of rape against two young girls in Athlone.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Longford District Court earlier.
He was remanded in custody to appear in court again on Friday.
There was a large Garda presence outside Longford District Court ahead of this morning's court appearance.
Dressed in a black jacket and jumper and jeans, the 30 year old accused was flanked by three officers in court – one from the Armed Response Unit.
The court heard he was charged at Athlone Garda Station at a quarter to 8 last night with 4 counts of rape against the two victims – and he made no reply.
Judge Seamus Hughes accepted a request for a psychiatric evaluation and ordered that the accused be placed on suicide watch and be afforded all of the necessary protection in custody – because he said, we live in the real world.
Concerns were raised by both the prosecution and the defence about media coverage of the trial – and Judge Hughes said he had every confidence that the public would allow the legal process to take place.
The accused was remanded in custody to appear at Harristown District Court on Friday morning.
Outside the court, a crowd of around 25 people jeered as he was driven away.
