A 45-year-old man has been charged with 20 counts of rape and sexual assault against underage girls over a three-year period in the northwest.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court this morning.
He is accused of six charges of rape and nine charges of sexual assault against one victim between September 2005 and September 2007 when the girl was aged between 12 and 14.
The man was also charged with one count of rape and four counts of sexual assault against the second victim in 2005 and 2006 when she was between 14 and 15.
All the offences are alleged to have occurred in the same house.
Detective Garda Pauline McDonagh gave evidence of arresting the man in Carrick-on-Shannon at 10am this morning and charging him with the 20 offences. She said he made no reply to any of the charges.
Two books of evidence in relation to the charges were served on the man and Judge David Anderson sent him forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
The judge also granted him legal aid after being told that he is currently in custody and has no income.
He was remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison.
