An asylum-seeker accused of raping a teenage girl in Athlone earlier this year has been sent forward for trial.
The 23-year-old man appeared yesterday before Judge Peter White in Athlone District Court.
The rape is alleged to have occurred at a location in Athlone town on a date between February 16th and 17th.
The accused man is a south African native and an international protection applicant who arrived in Ireland in July of last year.
He cannot be named due to the nature of the charge and to protect the identity of the alleged victim.
Garda Sheila Fitzgerald yesterday gave evidence of having served the book of evidence on the man at 10.45am.
Andrea Callan BL said the accused was refused bail by Judge Bernadette Owens two weeks ago and will bring a second bail application before the High Court next Tuesday.
He was returned for trial to the present sittings of the Central Criminal Court and given an alibi warning.
Judge White extended the man's legal aid to the Central Criminal Court for his solicitor and two counsel.
