A 63-year-old man has been charged with the murder of an Athlone woman at a special sitting of Athlone District Court this evening.
Jimmy Devanney of Millbrook Avenue, Monksland, Athlone, was brought into the court under tight security shortly before 6pm.
He was charged with the murder of Marie Greene (37) at Tullycross, Moydrum, Athlone on February 13.
Scores of people began to gather outside the courthouse on Pearse Street in Athlone from 5pm. They shouted abuse at the defendant as he was taken into and removed from the court.
Detective Sergeant Eamon Curley gave evidence of arresting the man in Monksland at 7.55am yesterday. When charged at Athlone Garda Station at 5.25pm the accused had "nothing to say", said Det Sgt Curley.
Mr Devanney appeared before the court dressed in grey slacks and a brown hoodie and remained silent during the brief hearing.
An application was made for free legal aid and Mr Devanney was remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court on March 1.
Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Ms Greene found a body in an area of bogland at Annaghgortagh off the Ballymore road on the outskirts of Athlone at 2.15pm today.
The body was removed to Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore where a postmortem took place.
Ms Greene (37) was last seen at her family home at St Mel’s Terrace, Athlone, on Sunday, February 13th.
Anyone with information can contact Athlone Garda station at 090-6498550 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.