A man has appeared before a special sitting of Bray District Court charged with assault causing harm to four children at a house in Co Wicklow on friday evening.

35-year-old Stephen Harnett with an address of Kilpoole Upper, Blainroe in Wicklow, wore a grey t-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms during the short court appearance.

Superintendent Paul Hogan asked that the defendant be remanded in custody.

There was no application for bail.

Gardaí and emergency services were called to a house in the Blainroe area of Co Wicklow on Friday evening.

Four children were taken to hospital but were released yesterday.

Garda Neil Doyle told the court that the accused made no reply when the charges were put to him.

Judge Gerard Furlong ordered a psychiatric evaluation.

The Judge also requested that Mr Harnett receive appropriate psychiatric and medical care.

He remanded him in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Thursday next.

Noeleen Leddy reports: