A SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD man has been remanded in custody charged with an offence under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested yesterday for the alleged offence of restricting the personal liberty of a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Castlebar District Court heard that when the man was charged with the offence at Claremorris Garda Station his reply to gardaí was: “Nothing to say, need to speak to my solicitor”.

Garda Orla Browne told the court that objection to bail was being made because of the seriousness of the offence, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, and the belief that the male would be a flight risk, as he and his wife are UK citizens.

Defending solicitor Tom Walsh put forward reasons for his client to be granted bail, including the fact that the man has a mortgage on a house in Ireland; his wife is disabled and currently in a medical facility; he hasn’t visited the UK since moving to Ireland in 2002; and he would surrender his passport.

Taking the stand, the man said he has been of good character in the area he has lived in for the past ten years and has raised money for various charities. He added that he did not want to lose his wife and that he wanted them both to ‘live happily’. He told the court that this was his third marriage.

Judge Mary Devins refused bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charge and the fact the male was a UK citizen.

Judge Devins remanded him in custody to appear in Harristown Court this Friday for the preparation of the Book of Evidence and to consider the possibility of further charges.

Legal aid was deferred by the judge.