A MAN AND a woman accused of abducting a child have been released on bail with strict conditions and must remain drug and alcohol-free.

They appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court today. Gardaí objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case.

The court heard the child is in the care of a family member.

Gardaí said the pair, aged in their 30s, had been caught red-handed. The court heard they were witnessed by a family member leaving the scene earlier this week.

They had an access arrangement prior to the alleged kidnapping.

Gardaí had concerns that they lived close to the child, and there could be a recurrence. It was alleged both told gardaí they intended to leave the jurisdiction.

They allegedly made admissions when interviewed at a Dublin garda station.

The man and woman cannot be identified due to reporting restrictions.

The judge heard that gardaí wanted conditions to not live in the same county as the child if the court granted bail.

Questioned by defence solicitor Niall O’Connor, it was accepted they did not have a history of failing to appear in court.

The solicitor said there were agreeable to residing in a different county and not contacting the child.

However, the judge needed to know where they would be living day-to-day before she granted bail.

She agreed to allow them to reside at their home address, but she warned they must obey several conditions.

They have to sign on daily at their local garda station, provide their phone numbers and remain contactable at all times, and have no contact directly or indirectly with the child or any witness in the proceedings,

The couple must not go near the child’s home and were warned to remain drug and alcohol-free.

They spoke briefly during the hearing.

The woman said, “I do, yeah,” and her partner replied “yes” as the judge asked if they understood the conditions.

She ordered them to appear again in court on 11 November for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to be obtained.

O’Connor said they were unemployed and of limited means. The judge granted legal aid.