An unemployed man has been charged with the murder of postmaster Alan Cunniffe on Friday afternoon last at Wolfe Tone Street in Kilkenny city.
During a five-minute hearing before Judge Gerard Furlong at a special sitting of Kilkenny District Court yesterday, Shu Shen (24), of no fixed abode, was also charged with robbing the post office at John's Green, Kilkenny, of €13,760.
Sgt Michael Mulloney told the court that the defendant had made no reply when charged with both offences.
Mr Shen was remanded to Cloverhill Prison to appear again at Cloverhill District Court tomorrow at 10.30am.
Supt Pat Mangan, who is leading the murder and robbery inquiries, had asked the judge that Mr Shen appear at Kilkenny tomorrow but Judge Furlong said Cloverhill would be "more appropriate."
Legal aid was granted to Mr Shen who was represented by Kilkenny solicitor Tony Canny.
Judge Furlong asked if an interpreter was required.
Mr Canny asked Mr Shen if he understood what was happening. He nodded and said "Yes".
Mr Canny told the judge that "as matters become more complex" an interpreter may be required for future hearings and Judge Furlong said that such an application could be made at any time.
Before the hearing began, Mr Canny had spoken in English to Mr Shen in the courtroom.
Mr Shen, dressed in a fleece top, jeans and trainers arrived in court accompanied by uniformed gardaí and plain-clothes detectives. The public galleries remained empty.
Mr Shen was taken out of court through a rear entrance.
Although the court heard that Mr Shen has no fixed abode, an address listed as the Old Rectory, Rosbercon, New Ross, Co Wexford, (which is used by asylum seekers), appeared on the charge sheets.
Gardaí said later they had established he was not currently living there.
It is understood that Mr Shen came to Ireland from China on a student visa three years ago and had applied for political asylum here.
