A 34-year-old man has been remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with raping his niece.
The man, who cannot be identified to protect his alleged victim, is charged with raping the 19-year-old on a date between 20 and 23 June 2007.
A police officer told the court he believed he could connect the accused to the charge, which he denies.
He also said he was objecting to a bail application because of fears he would interfere with witnesses.
He revealed that, police were carrying out risk assessments "amid fears for his safety", regarding the man's potential return to his home area.
The officer said that social services would also be carrying out their own assessments of the man as a "potentially dangerous person" as it is alleged that while he was raping his niece, a baby was sleeping in the house.
His solicitor told the court her client "strenuously denies the charge" and suggested an address outside of Belfast where he could stay if bail was granted.
Refusing the application, Resident Magistrate George Connor said it was because of "the risk of interference with witnesses".
He will appear in court again next week.
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