An Ennis man appeared at Kilkee District Court, Co Clare, yesterday charged with the murder of a Belgian national, Mr Walter van Dael, in Ennis in the early hours of Monday morning.
Mr Eric Considine (23) of Stone Court, Drumbiggle, Ennis, is charged with murder contrary to common law of the 42-year-old man at the Abbey Tourist Hostel, Harmony Row, Ennis. Det Sgt Joseph O'Brien of Ennis garda station told the court the accused made no response when charged.
Supt Gerry Kelly made an application that the accused be remanded in custody until a special sitting of Ennis District Court at noon on Monday.
The application, which was not opposed by Mr Gerry Flynn, solicitor for the accused, was granted by Judge Albert O'Dea.
An application by Mr Flynn to allow Mr Considine to be assigned legal aid was granted. Meanwhile, a post-mortem carried out on Mr van Dael at Ennis General Hospital by the assistant state pathologist, Ms Marie Cassidy, showed he died of head injuries.
After initially experiencing difficulty in identifying the deceased, gardai were yesterday, with the assistance of Belgian police, able to contact one of Mr van Dael's parents.
A search of the Fergus river adjacent to the Abbey Tourist Hostel, which began on Monday evening, continued yesterday as the Garda sub-aqua unit searched a one-mile stretch.
