The husband of Siobhán Kearney, who was found dead in her Dublin home last year, has been charged with her murder.
Brian Kearney (50) appeared in Dún Laoghaire District Court yesterday charged with the murder of the 38-year-old mother of one.
Ms Kearney's body was discovered by a relative in an upstairs bedroom of a house at Carnroe, Knocknashee, Goatstown, on February 28th, 2006.
She had been strangled with a flex from a vacuum cleaner. Her three-year-old son was in the house at the time.
Yesterday Dún Laoghaire District Court heard that Mr Kearney was arrested in his Goatstown home at 6.50am. He was taken to Dundrum Garda station, where he was charged and cautioned.
He replied "not guilty" to the single charge of murder.
Prosecuting garda Det Sgt Michael Gibbons of Dundrum Garda station told Ms Justice Clare Leonard that he would be making an application for the remand of Mr Kearney to Cloverhill Prison for one week.
Mr Kearney, who was wearing a grey jumper and blue jeans, remained expressionless during the brief hearing. He rested his chin on his hands as he sat in the witness box.
Several members of Ms Kearney's family were in court, including her parents, Owen and Deirdre McLaughlin, and several sisters, including former Sunday Independentjournalist Brighid McLaughlin. One sister sobbed as the family waited for the case to be heard.
Mr Kearney's solicitor, Robert Eager, told the court that, prior to being arrested at his home, Mr Kearney had indicated that he would make himself available to gardaí if requested.
Mr Eager did not make an application for bail yesterday, and Ms Justice Leonard remanded Mr Kearney in custody to Cloverhill Prison.
Mr Kearney looked straight ahead when he passed the McLaughlin family as he left the court after the hearing.
He will appear at Cloverhill courthouse on Wednesday, June 6th.
Ms Kearney was a chef by profession, and had worked in the catering trade.
Before her death she and her husband were running a small hotel in the Sóller region of Majorca.
