Gardaí investigating the killing of mother-of-two Natasha Gray in Dublin earlier this week, are receiving good co-operation from both the Nigerian and Jamaican communities.
The search continues for her 29-year old husband, Mr Goodwill Udechuckwu.
Ms Gray (25) was bludgeoned to death at her home at Royal Canal View, Phibsboro on Tuesday. A Jamaican by birth, she was married to Mr Udechuckwu for about a year, it is understood.
The Nigerian, described as 6 foot 2 inches and of broad build, had been in custody since April 2002 after an incident where he had attempted to bite a garda. He was freed last week after receiving a suspended six-months sentence.
He was last seen in Dublin's city centre a few hours after the killing, when he is reported to have spoken to members of the Nigerian community.
He told a number of people he intended to travel to Belfast. However, gardaí believe he may still be in Dublin. "We need to contact him as a matter of urgency," a spokesman said yesterday, "and would ask anyone with information as to his whereabouts to contact us immediately - at either Mountjoy (01-666 8600) or any Garda station." A senior Garda source was pleased with the co-operation from the Jamaican and Nigerian communities this week as they seek to piece together events that led to Ms Gray's killing.
Culturally, the two communities were "very different", he emphasised, in terms of both origin and religious outlook.
"The Jamaicans have a strong British colonial ethos and tend to be Christian - Pentecostal or Evangelical usually. Many Nigerians on the other hand are strongly Muslim."
Both communities were in shock at the tragic death of the young mother and had proved "extremely helpful" to gardaí in their inquiries. Members of the two communities who had lived in Ireland for some time were particularly helpful, the senior Garda added. "We've had a good experience. These people trust the Irish police."
Ms Gray had a child of four and a four-month-old baby. She had lived in Ireland for several years - and had recently returned from a holiday in Jamaica.
Mr Udechuckwu had to be restrained by seven gardaí on April 16th, after he lost his temper when refused a rent allowance, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told last week.
He was denied the application by the South Western Area Health Board and became very aggressive with a community welfare officer. When gardaí tried to handcuff him he began to kick and punch - and dived at one garda in an attempt to bite him. He failed but maintained throughout that he was HIV positive, the court heard.
He was eventually restrained and taken to Rathfarnham Garda station and charged. In court, he pleaded guilty to assault. Another five charges were taken into consideration. Mr Udechuckwu had come to Ireland seeking political asylum but his application was refused. An appeal is pending.