A MAN has appeared in court in Ballymena charged with exposure near a play park.
Ryan O'Lynn (25), unemployed, of Birch Hill Park, Antrim was also accused of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The charges follow an incident in Antrim on Saturday.
The defendant confirmed he understood the charges today.
A detective told the court it was alleged a male "approached" an eight-year-old girl and her friend, a boy (9), and tried to get them to go "behind a tree". He said both children confirmed they had "not been touched".
The alleged incident happened in the "vicinity" of a play park and the children had ran away, the court heard.
The officer added there was "great concern" for the "welfare" of the defendant and numerous comments had been made on Facebook.
He said the accused had alcohol taken at the time of the incident at 7.10pm on Saturday at a "play park in an estate in Antrim".
Defence solicitor Ciaran Maguire said the defendant "completely denies" the offences and had given "an account".
The police officer said Mr O'Lynn "puts himself in the place" but that the accused claimed "he wasn't aware of anyone else being in the vicinity".
District Judge Liam McNally said, on the matter of bail, there may well be a risk of further offences but the defendant had no convictions for this type of offence.
He said he was prepared to grant bail with conditions but warned the defendant if there was any breach he faced going into custody.
Mr O'Lynn was released on his own bail of £500 with a surety of £1,000 with conditions including a ban from entering Antrim town and no contact with any children unless approved by the PSNI or social services.
There is also to be no contact with the alleged victim and he is not to be within 100 metres of any school or any public play area. He is also barred from consuming alcohol.
He was released on bail to appear at Antrim Magistrates Court on June 19.
