Murdered woman's husband refused bail

The husband of a Latvian mother of two gunned down at her North Dublin home was today refused bail to attend her funeral.

The husband of a Latvian mother of two gunned down at her North Dublin home was today refused bail to attend her funeral.

Hassan Hassan, whose estranged wife, Baiba Saulite, was murdered on Sunday night, also applied to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to be released to see his sons.

The 38-year-old is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for handling stolen goods.

Judge Michael White heard the defendant was also awaiting sentence for the abduction of his children, now aged three and four.

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Refusing the application Judge White said there was a risk Hassan would flee the jurisdiction with his children and that he would continue to intimidate witnesses.

The DPP opposed the application on grounds Ms Saulite's solicitor, John Hennessy had been subjected to months of ongoing intimidation. Dominic McGinn SC, told the court he also feared Hassan would flee the country.

The senior officer investigating this week's murder also voiced concern that Hassan would commit more serious crimes, including murder, assault, and intimidation of witnesses.

Patricia Moran, representing Hassan, asked the judge that her client be given escorted release to attend Miss Saulite's removal or funeral and to visit his young children.

She told the court that the defendant had never breached any bail during his time before the courts.