The 30-year-old man, accused of raping a six and a nine year girl several times, has been denied a transfer to a different prison.

It is alleged that on Saturday, Sept 28, the accused lured the two girls away from a birthday party at their friend’s house in Athlone. The girls were missing for approximately 45 minutes and returned to the party and raised the alarm. Neighbors and the children’s parents who had been searching apprehended the accused and waited for the police.

The homeless man, originally from Ballinasloe, who cannot be named under Irish law, has had his request to Cloverhill Prison, in Dublin, denied.

The request was made by his lawyer Gearoid Geraghty, at Harristown District Court beside Castlerea Prison where the accused is currently under suicide watch and protection.

There were several police in the courtroom but according to Newstalk the matter was dealt with within minutes.

Judge Geoffrey Browne said the request for a transfer was an internal matter for the Irish prison service. He remanded the accused in custody and he will appear in court again on Oct 18.