A LITHUANIAN man who allegedly attempted to abduct a child in Kinawley has been refused bail.

Giedrius Gasiunas (44), who has an address at Terrytole, Ballinode, appeared via video-link at Enniskillen Magistrate's Court today (Monday).

He is accused of attempting to abduct a child, who was under the age of 18, on April 22 of this year.

A police constable told the court how on April 22, police received a report of an attempted child abduction in Kinawley, where a young male claimed he had been approached by two men in a car.

He noted that the car had "bedding in the rear", and that he was approached by the driver of the car  who "became aggressive".

The alleged victim said that a male tried to "grab him by the shoulder", but he had pushed him away.

When a school bus approached, the males drove off "across the Border".

The alleged victim's family contacted police, and enquiries were carried out in Swalinbar.

On June 15, the PSNI located the vehicle in Enniskillen, which was being driven by a woman. A male was in the passenger seat, who was found to be Gasiunas.

Gasiunas initially said his name was "Marius", and police believed he was trying to evade detection for the incident on April 22, the court heard.

In an interview, Gasiunas claimed that on the date in April, he had been fishing with his partner in Killybegs, and had returned early on the Monday morning in question. 

He claimed that he had decided to buy alcohol, but as no off-licenses were opened, he had gone over the Border to Derrylin.

Gasiunas said that he had seen the young boy waiting by the road and that he had offered him a lift, recalling "his younger days when he needed a lift".

He denied becoming aggressive and using bad language, and said that he had "done nothing bad".

The police constable outlined that she had strong objections to bail, centring around a risk of reoffending, Gasiunas' criminal record, and a lack of a suitable bail address.

The court also heard that there is a live "deportation issue" regarding Gasiunas, which is currently being dealt with by the Home Office.

Steven Rafferty BL said: "Initially, police said he gave a false name, and that was in their belief to evade detection for the April matter.

"I suggest this was not the case, as we have heard there is a deportation issue here.

"He has given a different name to police to avoid detection in respect of a Home Office emigration matter."

Mr. Rafferty said that Gasiunas had been deported from NI and the UK on November 6 of last year, but he has made his way back to the Republic of Ireland to live in Ballinode, Co. Monaghan.

"When police stopped the vehicle, they weren't expecting to deal with a deportation issue," Mr. Rafferty added.

However, District Judge Alana McSorley refused bail, due to a "risk of absconding".

She ordered that the matter be returned to Enniskillen Magistrate's Court on July 8.