A 30-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the rape of two young girls in Athlone last Saturday.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons to protect the identity of the six and nine year old girls, appeared at Longford District Court.

The Irish Independent reports that the defendant, standing at 5ft 9in in height and wearing a black jacket, jeans and white runners, said nothing during his brief appearance.

The two girls were raped after they were lured away from a birthday party in Athlone last Saturday.
The man was charged with two counts of rape against each of the young girls.

He was arrested on Monday night in Athlone Garda (police) Station and said nothing when the charges were read out to him.

An application was made before the court to remand the man in custody to appear before Harristown District Court, Castlerea on Friday afternoon.

The paper says that family members of the two young girls were in the courtroom.

The report adds that there were angry scenes outside Athlone Garda Station after the man left the premises on Monday night.