A MARRIED couple have been charged with allegedly sexually abusing and neglecting their child.

The couple appeared before Letterkenny District Court on Monday after earlier being arrested at their Inishowen home.

Garda Conor Mulkearns told the court the duo were arrested at their home and conveyed to Buncrana Garda Station where the charges were put to them.

They are both charged with sexual exploitation, sexual assault, neglect and ill treatment on dates between January 1, 2015 and May 25, 2016.

The court was told the woman made no reply to the charges. In response to the last charge put to him, the man told gardaí, “I’ll let you work that one out for yourself. Not guilty.”

A Publication Order has been set in place preventing the couple from being named.

The pair were granted bail with a number of stringent conditions including that they sign on at Buncrana Garda Station once a week and that they are not to have any contact with any witnesses. They were also ordered to surrender their passports.

Ms Patricia McCallum is the barrister acting on behalf of the couple. She is being instructed by solicitors Frank Dorrian and David Henry. She told Judge Paul Kelly her clients would comply with the conditions set down by the court.

She asked for an amendment in relation to witnesses in the case, citing agreement had been arrived at to enable the couple to send Christmas cards to their children.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions agreed for the case to go forward to the Circuit Court. He said it was anticipated the preparation of the Book of Evidence would take two months.

The case was adjourned until February 11. The couple were released on their own bail bonds of  €250.