A taxi driver had been charged with the rape of a passenger.

The Pakistani national with an address in Co Dublin appeared at a special sitting of Naas District Court yesterday morning on a charge of rape of a female passenger at a location in Co Kildare last September 9.

The accused is legally en- titled to anonymity unless he is convicted.

Gda Paul Carney from Leixlip Garda Station told the court that he arrested the man at Dublin Airport at 9pm on Saturday.

The accused had travelled back to Ireland after spending some time on a visit to Pakistan, the court heard.

The man was detained at Leixlip Garda station where he was charged and cautioned. He replied "no comment" when charged.

Gda Carney said he was strongly objecting to an application for bail by solicitors acting for the accused.

He told Judge Grainne O'Neill that his objections were due to the seriousness of the charge and the lengthy prison sentence on conviction.

He said there were serious and imminent concerns that the accused would attempt to evade justice.

surety

Solicitors for the man offered an independent surety of €5,000 to secure bail. Insp Paul Dolan told the court that gardai would still have an objection to his release.

Judge O'Neill refused bail and remanded the man in custody to appear again before the court next Friday.