A Co Louth man was remanded in custody over the weekend accused of having unlawful carnal knowledge of the 13-year-old girl at the centre of the abortion controversy.
The 24-year-old father of three appeared in Dublin District Court on Saturday charged with committing the offence against a girl under 15 years on August 27th.
Det Sgt Gerard Kelly said the defendant replied: "I didn't rape her" when charged in Ronanstown Garda station, but would not sign the statement. The detective "strenuously" objected to bail as threats had been made to two members of the alleged victim's family, particularly her father. He said there was also an outstanding bench warrrant for the man issued at Ballyshannon in March.
Mr Terry Hanahoe, defending solicitor, asked for an independent surety, saying the defendant had handed himself in to gardai and denied the warrant was for him.
Judge Thelma King said she was not fixing bail because of the seriousness of the offence and remanded him in custody to Kilmainham District Court next Friday.
The man, who was accompanied by friends and relatives, did not speak during his appearance.