Man, 41, pleads guilty to defiling girl under age of 17

A 41-year-old man facing a trial for rape, sexual exploitation, and defilement of a girl under the age of 17 pleaded guilty to one charge and was remanded in custody yesterday.

The accused appeared before the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork yesterday where a jury was to be sworn in for a trial.

However, the jury panel that assembled yesterday morning was sent away before lunchtime to return at 2pm and shortly after that the accused was arraigned on just one count.