THE DIRECTOR OF Public Prosecutions is to accept guilty pleas from a man charged with the rape of two young girls in Athlone in September.

The 30-year-old, who faces a total of five counts of rape, has been on remand at Castlerea Prison since his first court appearance on 1 October. He appeared at Harristown District Court today for a scheduled hearing.

RTÉ News reports that the the accused’s solicitor confirmed his client had waived his right to a book of evidence, and said that the DPP would be accepting the signed pleas. The case will be back before the court next month.

The man cannot be named for legal reasons.

Related: Crowds at Athlone courthouse as one still held in sexual assault investigation>

Read: Three men held over alleged sexual assault of children in Athlone>

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