A man accused of leaving an apartment building with a child “under his arm” has been remanded in custody.
The man, in his mid twenties, can’t be named after the judge imposed a reporting restriction after Gardaí raised the “sensitivity” of the case.
The man is accused of intentionally attempting to take, cause to be taken, detained or caused to be detained a child aged under 16.
He appeared at the Dublin District Court today, and Gardaí told the Judge his response to the charge was:
“I was not taking the child anywhere. I’m not a person like that. I do not have any intention with a child. I do not have any bad or unwanted intentions with a child.”
The judge was given an outline of the evidence and was told the man was attending a party at the building.
CCTV showed him interacting with two children, ages five and ten, and he didn’t know them.
The court heard he was seen leaving with the “five-year-old under his arm walking away“.
The Judge heard that the man returned, but the accused could not get back into the building.
The Judge said “It is a very serious matter as far as I am concerned,” and ordered the accused to be remanded in custody.
A Defence solicitor said the man was at a party and was intoxicated. The court heard he is not ready to apply for bail at this stage.
He was granted legal aid and is due before the Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday.
