THE ELDERLY father-in-law of an Irishman who was shot dead with his South African wife at their home in a suburb of Johannesburg last Monday night yesterday appeared in court for the first time.
Edwin Popping (75) was remanded in custody to Boksburg prison following a brief appearance at Alberton magistrates’ court, where his identity was confirmed.
Mr Popping was arrested and charged with the murder of Kevin McGuirk (54), from Dublin, and his wife Kim (34) last Tuesday morning after the couple were found dead on their bedroom floor by police.
Mr Popping is to appear again in court on August 23rd, when his legal counsel will be given an opportunity to make a bail application on his behalf.
Lt Col Tshisikhawe Ndou said the accused’s first appearance in court was brief, and that he had not been asked to make any statement or plead to the charges he faces.
“The lawyers involved in the case have been given until next week to get the relevant documentation together that will aid the court in moving this case forward,” he said.
Mr Popping had been staying with his daughter and her husband at a house on Albany road in Alberton when the tragedy occurred.
Police were contacted by a man and alerted to the incident the following morning.
It is understood a 9mm handgun was found at the scene of the crime.
A son and daughter of Mr McGuirk’s based in Ireland are due to arrive in Johannesburg today.
The coroner who carried out the postmortem examination on Mr McGuirk’s remains has released the Irishman’s body to his family.
It remained unclear yesterday whether Mr McGuirk would be taken back to Ireland for burial or whether he will be laid to rest in South Africa, his adopted home.
Mr McGuirk, who had been living in South Africa for over 10 years, was managing director of Africa Diving Tours, a scuba diving company which is based in Alberton.
The company operated tours for beginners and experienced divers to well-known diving spots found off Africa’s southern and eastern coasts, as well as to inland lakes.
The Irish Embassy in Pretoria was providing assistance to Mr McGuirk’s family.