A 26-year-old man accused of the murder of Lithuanian mother Jolanta Lubiene (27) has also been charged with the murder of her eight-year-old daughter Enrika at their home in Killorglin over two weeks ago.
Medical officers at Cork prison have expressed concern about Aurimas Andruska’s psychiatric state, and this concern was “significant,” the regular sitting of Killarney District Court was also told today.
When Mr Andruska, of 7 Ard Moniel Height, Killorglin, Co Kerry, first appeared before the court on Friday last he was charged with the murder of Ms Lubiene at 9 Langford Downs Killorglin on June 15th.
He was also charged with unlawfully killing Enrika Lubyte on the same date.
Mr Andruska, a Lithuanian national, denied both charges. “I didn’t kill. I can only tell,” he told the court. When charged with the unlawful killing of Enrika Mr Andruska replied: “I will tell you exactly the same”.
Det Sgt John Kelly told the court today he wished to withdraw the unlawful killing charge and proffer a new charge of murder.
A Lithuanian interpreter was sworn in and Judge James O’Connor enquired through him if the accused understood that “a new charge of murder was being proffered” in place of the withdrawn charge.
Through his interpreter, the accused replied “yes”.
The accused was dressed in the same clothes as on Friday - a striped zipped cardigan, black pants and navy shoes.
Sgt Kelly told the court that at 10.52am “before the court” he charged and cautioned Mr Andruska with the murder of Enrika Lubyte. Mr Andruska made no reply to the charge.
Judge O’Connor granted the State’s application to remand him in custody to appear at Tralee District Court on July 9th next.
Mr Andruska’s solicitor Peter Malone applied for for legal aid on the murder charge. Last Friday the court was told the accused had no property and no bank account.
Mr Malone said he was also seeking an order that “a psychiatric report be prepared”, if possible in time for the next court appearance.
The basis for this application was due to concern expressed by a medical officer in the prison, Mr Malone added.
Asked by Judge O’Connor if this concern was “significant”, Mr Malone said it was.
Judge O’Connor made the order for the psychiatric report. A Lithuanian interpreter was also ordered for the next court appearance.
The judge then said the court again wanted to extend its sympathy to the family of the deceased “both here and in Lithuania”.
The dead woman’s sister Kristina was in court, along with the dead woman’s husband Darius, accompanied by a Garda liaison officer.