The victim of an alleged sexual assault was contacted on Facebook by her alleged attacker, a court has heard.

The suspect was taken into custody last Tuesday in Ballina, Co. Mayo, when he attempted to return to England.

The alleged offence occurred in January 2009. Police in Mayo had failed on several occasions to arrest the man, when they called to an address where he supposedly lived with a relative.

Inspector Joe Doherty told the court that the victim has made a complaint to police that the man had contacted her via Facebook, and that she feared for her safety.

Judge McCarthy declined bail. The case continues.