A 63-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the rape of a female child in Galway almost 50 years ago.

The man appeared before Galway District Court where he was granted bail to appear again in court next month.

He faces two charges of indecent assault and one charge of rape.

The allegations, which date back to the 1970s, concern three women who were children at the time.

Detective Garda Sharon Noone told the court she arrested the accused in Galway on Monday morning for the purpose of charge.

The court heard the accused made no reply to any of the three charges after caution.

There was no objection to bail subject to the accused abiding by conditions agreed between the prosecution and defence, the court was told.

Sergeant Damien Prendergast told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court.

Defence solicitor Michael Cunningham said his client was in receipt of an income but given the seriousness of the charges, he was applying for legal aid.

Sgt Prendergast said there was no objection to legal aid and Judge Fiona Lydon granted the application.

Mr Cunningham told the court his client intended to travel outside Ireland for six days later this month and the State had consented to the return of the accused’s passport.

Judge Lydon remanded the accused on bail to appear again on October 15.

In the case, the man faces two charges of indecent assault, contrary to Common Law, of two different female children on dates unknown between January 1, 1973 and December 31 1975, at an address in Galway City.

He is also charged that on dates between January 1, 1976 and December 31 1977, at and address in Galway, he raped a female child contrary to Common Law and section 48 of the Offences Against The Person Act 1861.

The case is subject to reporting restrictions.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.