Two men accused of rape must wait until later this month before finding out if the charges against them will be tried at Crown Court.
Brendan Gerard Monaghan, 21, of Fairgreen Park, Keady, and Conor Hughes, 22, of University Street, Belfast, both faced single charges of rape at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday.
The incident, involving a single complainant, is alleged to have taken place on August 22, 2014, when the pair were teenagers.
Neither of the defendants appeared at court with Hughes’ defence counsel claiming his client was attending a medical appointment in Belfast.
It was heard that Monaghan worked as a kitchen porter, while Hughes was a full-time student at Queen’s University.
District Judge Paul Copeland stated: “These are very serious charges and their attendance is required but I will not issue a warrant on this occasion”.
The pair will return on November 20 for a preliminary enquiry, which will determine if proceedings will be elevated to the Crown Court.
