A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged in connection with the attempted abduction and assault of a woman in Dublin.

He described it as "a joke that went wrong".

Martin Gallagher, with an address at Rusheeny Avenue, Hartstown in Dublin, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody for a week.

Mr Gallagher appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice charged in connection with an attempt to abduct a woman in her late 60s in Cabra in Dublin on Monday morning.

He is charged with two offences - false imprisonment and assault causing harm.

Garda Paul Kirwan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He told the court he arrested Mr Gallagher at 12.25am and he made no reply when charged.

However, Mr Gallagher's solicitor Michael Kelleher told the court that his client said he did reply to the charge and said "I'm sorry, it was a joke that went wrong".

He asked that Mr Gallagher's reply be noted by the court.

The court was also told that the accused was applying for free legal aid and that a statement of means had been handed in.

Judge Bryan Smith remanded Mr Gallagher in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next Thursday.



