A 22-year-old man has appeared before a special sitting of Killorglin District Court charged in relation to a sexual assault on a 73-year-old woman.

Anthony Hussey was charged with entering a building in Co Kerry as a trespasser with intent to commit an arrestable offence, a sexual assault.

The alleged incident occurred between 6 and 8 am on the morning of September 20th of this year. The 73-year-old woman was confronted in her bedroom by a male wearing a balaclava, who struck her with his fist and subjected her to a prolonged sexual assault.

Judge James O'Connor ordered that the location of the assault not be published so as to protect the victim's identity.

Despite a request from Mr Hussey’s solicitor that he be granted bail as he had no previous convictions, Judge James O'Connor said that he had a duty of care to the victim and to the public at large and he remanded Mr Hussey in custody to appear again before Killorglin District Court next Thursday.