A Dublin youth has appeared in court charged with aggravated sexual assault during a alleged burglary at a house in south Dublin two weeks ago.
Mr Stephen Phelan (18), with addresses at Poddle Close, Kimmage, and Thomas Court Bawn, Dublin 8, was charged with aggravated sexual assault on a woman occupant of the house in Harold's Cross on February 11th.
He was also charged with burglary, unlawful possession of a screwdriver, stanley knife and hacksaw blade and with assault causing harm to two male occupants of the house. He was further charged with failing to turn up in court in relation to other charges.
Det. Sgt. George McGeary objected to bail because of the seriousness of the charges and because he believed accused would not turn up to stand trial if freed. He had been arrested after gardaí had spent a week searching for him.
He had attempted to escape from Terenure Garda Station in the early hours of this morning after he was charged. He had failed to turn up in court previously when he was due to face between 18 and 20 charges.
Det Sgt McGeary disputed assertions by Mr Phelan's lawyer that he lived with his parents. Gardaí had visited a number of different addresses he was known to reside at. He also had a history of failing to turn up in court although this was when he was a juvenile.
Mr Phelan gave evidence that he lived with his parents in Kimmage but said he also lived with his girlfriend and his uncle from time to time. His solicitor said he would be prepared to observe a curfew and sign on at his local garda station if granted bail.
Judge Miriam Malone said that in view of the evidence she was refusing bail. She remanded him in custody to Cloverhill District Court on March 5th.