An alleged paedophile accused of "flashing" at young girls and sexually abusing them appeared before a Preliminary Enquiry at Fermanagh Court earlier today (Wednesday).

The 73-year-old pensioner, with an address in Enniskillen, cannot be named because of a publicity ban imposed on the press to protect the identity of his alleged victims.

He faces a total of 11 charges of sexually abusing four children.

It is alleged that between April 12, 1969, and April 14, 1970, he committed an act "of a lewd, obscene and disgusting nature" by exposing his penis to a girl and that he also committed an act of gross indecency with her.

He is further charged with indecently assaulting two other girls on dates between October 21, 1979, and October 22, 1984.

The pensioner is also accused of committing an act of a "lewd, obscene and disgusting nature" by exposing his penis to a fourth girl, who was under the age of 13, and of sexually assaulting her on six occasions between April 30, 2011, and September 11, 2011.

District Judge Liam McNally told the elderly man he had read the documented evidence in the case and held there was a case to answer.

The pensioner was asked if he wished to say anything in answer to the charges, to which he replied: "No, not at this time." Asked if the wished to give evidence or call any witnesses, he again replied: "Not at this time." He was returned for trial at Omagh Crown Court on May 10, on continuing bail of �500.