A CO Tipperary man accused of 11 counts of sexual offences against his two daughters is to be sent forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The middle aged father of four changed his plea from guilty to not guilty at yesterday's sitting of Nenagh Circuit Court.
Explaining the late change of plea, counsel for the defence, Mr Jamie Meagher BL, said that the accused was under the misapprehension" that if he pleaded guilty at least one of the victims would come forward to tell the "truth" on the day of sentencing, which was to be have been yesterday.
Also, the defendant was on medication at the time he pleaded guilty, and his mind was in a state of "agitation and confusion".
The court also heard that the accused had sent a number of letters to the victims - now aged 17 and 19 - and both felt intimidated and threatened as a result.
The defendant, who had pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and one of incest, will have to answer all 11 counts at the hearing.
He was remanded on continuing bail.