THE MAN CHARGED with the alleged sexual assault of a young girl in west Dublin earlier this week has been further remanded in custody.

The accused (26), who cannot be named due to the nature of the charge, was yesterday charged with assaulting the girl at Garter Lane, Saggart and remanded in custody.

He appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court via videolink this morning.

During the 10-minute hearing, his solicitor confirmed to the judge that they would not be making an application for bail today “but are reserving the right to make it later”.

This was conveyed to the accused through an Arabic interpreter, who was present in court. When the accused responded, the judge asked if he was raising an issue about the bail application and whether his solicitor needed a moment to speak to him. 

After speaking with the interpreter, the accused’s solicitor said that there did not seem to be an issue in relation to making an application for bail, but “rather it seems to be an issue related to other ancillary points”.

The judge asked the interpreter to confirm to the accused that he was not making an application for bail today, and that if he does, “his solicitor will have to give me at least 48 hours notice”.

Judge Mitchell asked that a short report on fitness to be tried be prepared. 

He ordered that the accused be remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court via videolink on 5 November.

He said he was recommending “that he be seen by the doctors to be medically and psychiatrically assessed and he be accorded whatever treatment is necessary”.

The order was conveyed to the accused by the interpreter.

After the hearing, Judge Mitchell noted that there was a “heightened level of security” at the court and asked the Garda present whether this would continue for future hearings. The Garda indicated that it would.