ABDUCTION SUSPECT APPEARS BEFORE COURT

A JUDGE has imposed reporting restrictions preventing the media from naming a man accused of the attempted kidnapping of a toddler in Dublin due to “heightened” social media activity.

Gardai responded to an incident in the north inner city on Thursday after midday, arrested a man (26) and brought him to Store Street station.

The accused was charged that without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, he intentionally attempted “to take a child under the age of 16 years” from the control of a named person.

The child has the right to anonymity because of the mandatory reporting restrictions in the Children Act.

The man, from Eastern Europe with an address in Leinster, was held in the station overnight and appeared before Judge Monika Leech at Dublin District Court yesterday.

In evidence, Garda Sgt William Godfrey told the court he arrested the man under section 17 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act at 12.06pm on Thursday.

He said the accused was detained in the station, “interviewed in relation to the offence”, and then charged.

Sgt Godfrey said he “was handed a true copy of the charge and made no reply to the charge”. He added that there was an application to remand the man in custody.

The judge noted that an interpreter was assisting the accused, who did not address the court.

His defence barrister confirmed that he was not applying for bail.

The judge inquired about the extent of the restrictions sought, and counsel referred to the names of the parties and their legal representatives.

Judge Leech remanded the man in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on May 10.

She said: “I am imposing full reporting restrictions in respect of matters canvassed to me.”

The judge directed a psychiatric report on the defendant to be prepared. Legal aid was granted.