A 30-year-old man has appeared in court charged with raping two young girls in Athlone over the weekend.
The victims, aged 6 and 9, were allegedly lured away from a birthday party on Saturday afternoon.
The man, who can't be named for legal reasons, has been charged with four counts of rape.
He was flanked by Gardai during his short court appearance and has been remanded in custody where he'll be placed on suicide watch.
He's due in court again on Friday.
Reporter Louise Kelly was in Court in Longford:
