A 23-year-old man was charged yesterday with the statutory rape of 13-year-old Jamie Maughan whose body was found in the garden at a housing estate near Cavan town two weeks ago.
At Ballyjamesduff District Court in Co Cavan yesterday, the man was charged with unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 15 years.
The man was charged with the offence contrary to section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935, on or about June 26th, 2004, at No 39 Harmony Heights, Cavan.
Det Insp James Coen gave evidence of arresting and charging the accused, who replied: "I need to talk to my lawyer".
He sought a remand in custody due to the nature and seriousness of the charge and the nature and the strength of the evidence, to support the charge.
The detective inspector added that as a result of ongoing investigations in Cavan gardaí were aware that the accused may leave the jurisdiction.
He was also aware that the accused had a flight booked for San Paulo, Brazil. He produced confirmation of the flight booking to the court.
Supt Joe Sullivan then asked that the accused be remanded to Cootehill District Court on Tuesday, July 20th, at 10.30 a.m.
The solicitor for the accused, Ms Emer Holohan, told Judge David Maughan that she did not wish to make a bail application at this time.
The accused was then remanded in custody by Judge Maughan, to appear at Cootehill District Court next Tuesday .