A UK businessman has appeared in court charged with abusing two girls at various locations in counties Louth and Dublin. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was extradited from the US after being arrested in Florida.

He is facing three charges of rape and 30 charges of sexual assault between 2010 and 2011, when the girls were aged 10 and 12.

The offences allegedly took place at two locations in Co Louth and at a hotel on the Malahide road in Dublin.

The man (33) was arrested in Florida last month following a request by the Irish authorities.

Today the court heard the majority of the offences allegedly took place when the mother of the children was away on trips funded by the accused.

In March 2011, the two girls were taken into care in Northern Ireland, and they both complained of being abused some time later.

Gardai objected to bail on a number of grounds including their belief that he was seeking residency in Chile - which is outside the reach of the Irish authorities.

His bail application was refused and he has been remanded in custody until next week.