A 26-year-old man, who has been charged in connection with the sexual assault of a ten-year-old girl in Dublin in the early hours of Monday morning, has deferred applying for bail.

The defence solicitor for the accused told the court that there would be no application for bail today, but reserved the right to make such an application at a later date.

Judge Alan Mitchell said that notice of 48 hours must be given ahead of any bail application.

The accused, who appeared via videolink at Cloverhill District Court, cannot be identified due to the nature of the charges against him and the age of the victim.

Judge Mitchell granted an application that a report be carried out on the fitness of the accused to be tried.

He directed that medical and psychiatric assessments be carried out on the accused and that he be offered appropriate medical treatment as required.

The accused spoke through an interpreter.

Judge Mitchell asked Detective Sergeant Sinéad Connolly from Clondalkin Garda Station if the heightened garda presence outside the court this morning would be in place for future court appearances of the accused.

Detective Sergeant Connolly responded that it would.

The accused was remanded in custody and will appear again via videolink at Cloverhill District Court on 5 November.