A 76-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court in Dublin charged in connection with 79 sexual offences. 

He is charged with one attempted rape and 78 indecent assaults which allegedly took place in the 1970s and early 1980s in a number of locations in south Dublin.

The charges relate to four girls who were aged between eight and 15 at the time. 

The man – who cannot be named due to the nature of the charges – appeared before Judge Michele Finan at a sitting of Dublin District Court shortly before 11 o’clock.

He was in a wheelchair, dressed in shorts and a green hoodie with the name of a US sports team on it. He sat silently throughout the brief hearing and did not indicate how he will plead. 

The court heard that the man was arrested at 6.56am in Dublin Airport and charged shortly afterwards at Ballymun Garda Station. 

He faces 41 counts of indecently assaulting and one for attempted rape of one of the complainants, 34 counts of indecent assault of another female, two counts of indecent assault of another complainant, and one charge of indecent assault of the fourth.

He was remanded in custody and will appear in court again in one week’s time on 29 July.

State solicitor Rory Staines told Judge Finan that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that he face “trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court”.

No application was made for bail and no objection was made to him receiving legal aid. The court heard that he is not working and has no assets. 

Judge Michele Finan directed that the man should receive medical attention as required.

It was asked that he be provided with a hearing aid and dentures. 

With reporting by Tom Tuite and Christine Bohan