The trial of a man accused of holding a woman against her will and subjecting her to a vicious sexual attack in Dublin city centre has got underway.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with attempting to rape his victim at Oxmantown Green in Blackhall Place.

The accused showed no emotion as the charges were read out to the jury at the Central Criminal Court this morning. He is refusing to acknowledge the authority of the court and remained silent when asked to enter a plea at a recent arraignment.

In the absence of a response, Mr. Justice Paul Carney entered 14 not guilty pleas on his behalf. The court heard how the alleged attack took place over a 2-day period beginning on February 12th in 2010.

On that date, he is accused of falsely imprisoning his victim at an apartment on Blackhall Place. While she was being held it is alleged he tried to rape her before sexually assaulting her 6 times and subjecting her to an aggravated sexual assault.

He is also facing a charge of taking a child away from his mother and of stealing his victim’s bank card and using it to withdraw €700 from her account.

The trial has now entered legal argument and is expected to last up to 6 weeks.