A brother of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams who is facing trial on a series of sex offence charges has been refused bail.

Liam Adams, 56, was remanded in custody last month charged with the abuse of his daughter Aine Tyrell, who has waived her right to anonymity.

He had been extradited to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland.

Adams, who is originally from west Belfast, denies the charges. He faces 18 counts including rape and gross indecency.

Belfast Recorder Judge Tom Burgess said he was concerned there was a potential "risk of flight" if Adams was granted bail.

"At this stage I have concluded that bail should not be granted," he said.

The judge noted that Adams went to the Republic of Ireland when police in Northern Ireland sought to interview him over the historic charges.

Ms Tyrell claims the alleged abuse took place between 1977 and 1983.

Adams, who sat impassively in the dock at Belfast's Laganside Court dressed in a beige cardigan and checked shirt, last month lost a legal battle against being extradited after a court in Dublin refused him permission to remain in the Republic.

This came after he handed himself over to police last year when a European Arrest Warrant was issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.