A 24-year-old female teacher, accused of engaging in a sex act with a teenage boy, is to face trial.

She told Gardaí that she met him at an over-18s nightclub when she was further charged this morning.

This woman is accused of engaging in a sex act with a male child under the age of 17 on February 1st and 13th of last year.

She was initially charged last October and faced her third court appearance this morning at Swords District Court in Dublin, where she was charged with four new offences.

A detective told the court she made no reply to three of the charges when they were put to her - but replied to the fourth saying "I met him at an over 18s nightclub".

He said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed trial on indictment at the Circuit Court.

The teacher, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded on continuing bail and is due back in court in April.

She has previously been granted legal aid as the court heard she lost her job.

Her solicitor raised concerns that a photographer had stuck his camera under the teacher's face as she arrived at court this morning.

The judge warned the media that reporting restrictions are in place, and no details are to be given to identify the accused - adding 'Sure as hell no pictures were to be taken'.

Reporting by Stephanie Rohan