A court has heard a man charged in connection with an attempted abduction in Dublin says it was a joke that went wrong.
At around 7:30am on Monday morning, gardaí responded to reports of an attempted abduction of a woman at Martin Grove on Blackhorse Avenue in Dublin.
It is alleged a woman in her late 60s was approached by a man and he tried to force her into the boot of a car.
This afternoon, Martin Gallagher of Rusheeny Avenue, Hartstown, Dublin 15 appeared in court charged with false imprisonment and assault causing harm.
The court heard the 20-year-old was arrested and charged at Blanchardstown Garda Station just after midnight.
Detective Garda Paul Kirwan told the court the accused made no reply after he was cautioned.
However, Mr Gallagher's solicitor told the judge that his client wished to point out that he did reply 'I'm sorry - it was a joke that went wrong'.
The 20-year-old accused was remanded in custody, and is due to appear before Cloverhill District Court next week.
