New charge for child rape suspect

A man facing charges of raping two girls had a further rape charge put to him yesterday.

The 30-year-old from Athlone, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Harristown District Court in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. He has been on remand at the adjoining Castlerea Prison since October. At the request of his lawyer Gearoid Geraghty he has been on suicide watch.

He was initially charged with four counts: Twice raping each of the girls, aged 6 and 9, at an address in Athlone on Sept 28.