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 that 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 yesterday 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.

Adams' second wife, Bronagh, watched from the public gallery during the short hearing.