Man accused of raping girls to face trial next week

A 30-year-old man facing charges of repeatedly raping two girls is expected to be sent forward for trial next week.

There was drama in court in Co Roscommon yesterday when the defendant, who has pleaded guilty to five charges of raping the six- and nine-year-old girls, could not be produced in court when his case was called.

A prison officer advised the judge that there was a difficulty in transporting the accused and one other prisoner to the court — even though Harristown Court is located just yards from the walls of Castlerea Prison.