A 26-year-old man appeared in court yesterday, facing charges related to the attempted abduction of a toddler in Dublin.
According to Sergeant William Godfrey, the accused was arrested under section 17 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act at 12:06 on Thursday. He was detained in a garda station and interviewed regarding the offence. Subsequently, the man was charged shortly after 22:15, but he remained silent in response to the charge.
The specific accusation against the man is that he intentionally attempted to take a child under the age of 16 years without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. The seriousness of the matter led to his remand in custody for a week, and no bail application was made.
During the court proceedings, Judge Monika Leech granted an application for reporting restrictions. The decision was influenced by safety concerns and the potential impact of social media discussions. Sergeant Godfrey emphasised the sensitivity of the case, acknowledging its propensity to cause issues.
As a result, the media is prohibited from naming the accused. The man will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on May 10, where further legal proceedings will take place.
