A man appeared before Limerick District Court yesterday charged with the murder of a mother of two at a city hotel last weekend.
Jerry McGrath (23), of Ballywalter, Knockavilla, Co Tipperary, is charged with the murder of Sylvia Roche-Kelly (33) at the Clarion hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick, on December 8th.
Det Sgt Kevin McHugh gave evidence of arresting and formally charging Mr McGrath on Wednesday. The court heard he made no reply to the charge.
Solicitor Vincent McCormack was appointed to represent Mr McGrath, who was granted free legal aid.
Judge Tom O'Donnell said the question of bail did not arise in his court because of the charge, and remanded the accused in custody until Wednesday.
Wearing a navy and white top and trousers, Mr McGrath remained silent throughout yesterday's brief hearing.
His parents and a brother and sister sat at the rear of the court.
The body of Ms Roche-Kelly, was discovered in a bathtub at the Clarion last Saturday morning. While a postmortem proved inconclusive, investigating gardaí believe she was the victim of an assault.
She was originally from Coonagh, outside Limerick, and was buried in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, on Wednesday.