A man accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in west Dublin in October is facing a second charge of sexual assault.
The 26-year-old man was charged with a second count when he faced his fifth hearing at Cloverhill District Court. He cannot be named because of the nature of the charges.
The accused was initially charged with sexual assault of a female at Garter Lane in Saggart on 20 October 2025. The girl had been missing from care.
The court was told last month that, following a psychiatric assessment, the man was found fit to stand trial.
Sergeant Sinead Connolly further charged him this morning at the court with a second count of sexual assault of the same complainant at another location close to Garter Lane.
Judge Alan Mitchell heard that in reply to the new charge, after caution, the man told the sergeant: "I spoke to my solicitor and told him she sat beside me; you can check the CCTV. She started talking to me and I asked her her age, she told me she was 18. I just kissed her."
Sergeant Connolly said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. However, the prosecution must serve a book of evidence before he is sent forward to the higher level.
Sergeant Connolly said the book of evidence was likely to be completed within six weeks.
The man had the assistance of an Arabic interpreter during the hearing after the courtroom was cleared for the in-camera proceedings. He handed the new charge to his solicitor and addressed the court once to say "okay", confirming he was not making a bail application.
Legal aid was granted to the accused, who has yet to indicate a plea.
Judge Mitchell remanded him in custody to appear again at the same court via video link on 23 December.
At his first hearing on 21 October, Sergeant Connolly said the man replied, "I have nothing to say", after he was charged.
The defence must give gardaí 48 hours notice if they intend to move a bail application.
Following the alleged assault, there were violent scenes in Citywest, Dublin, resulting in more than 30 arrests, and gardaí suffering injuries, and a garda vehicle was burned out. Court prosecutions have commenced while an investigation continues to identify others at the scene.
