A man (49) was today charged with the murder of a mother of three outside a taxi rank in Co Kildare.
John Egan, from 14 Popular Grove, Naas, appeared in court in connection with the death of Frances Ralph (46) in Naas yesterday.
At a special sitting of Naas District Court, Insp Pat Mangan said he had charged Mr Egan with murder at 11.15pm last night in Naas Garda station. "He replied to the charge after caution 'No'," Insp Mangan said.
Mr Egan, whose face was covered with cuts and bruises, was flanked in court by two plain clothes detectives. Supt Tom Neville applied for Mr Egan to be remanded in custody in Cloverhill prison in Dublin until Thursday August 25th.
Solicitor Brian Price, representing Mr Egan, made no objection. Judge John Coughlan remanded Mr Egan in custody and ordered him to appear before Cloverhill District Court on August 25th at 10.30am.
Mr Egan was escorted out of the court by gardaí, watched by a large crowd.
Ms Ralph had been queuing at a taxi rank 100 metres down the road from Naas Courthouse after celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary at a local restaurant with her husband.
She was stabbed at the taxi rank and was rushed to Naas General Hospital but died from her injuries at 1.35am.
Ms Ralph had three teenage sons, one of whom is about to start secondary school next week.