Patrick Joseph Devine, of Main Street, Lisnaskea, appeared at Strabane Court last Thursday, charged with the buggery of a boy, the attempted buggery of a girl, indecently assaulting the two children and physically assaulting them. He was granted bail but because he was unable to meet the conditions of that bail remained in custody and was to have appeared at Fermanagh Court yesterday (Wednesday). However, he was not produced by the prison authorities and in his absence was further remanded to Fermanagh Court on Monday.

    The offences are alleged to have been committed between April 1, 2000, and March 22, this year.

    Strabane Court heard that when charged with buggering the boy, Devine replied: “I didn’t do it.” He made a similar reply when accused of indecently assaulting the boy. In relation to the physical assault he stated: “Yea, I admit that.”

    To the charge that he attempted to bugger the girl and indecently assaulted her, Devine stated: “No.” To the physical assault on her he replied: “Yes.”

    Bail was set at £250 with a surety of £500 on condition that Devine resides at an address acceptable to the police, stays out of Lisnaskea save for court appearances, reports twice weekly to the police, has no contact with the injured parties or witnesses and that he undertakes no baby-sitting and has no contact with children.

    Yesterday Mr. Frank McManus, for Devine, said he had failed to meet the bail conditions and remained in custody.

    Mr. McManus said he had no idea why Devine had not been produced in court.