A 41-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a Dutch compatriot who was found stabbed to death in a Dublin apartment last week.
Gardaí launched a murder investigation after the body of 31-year-old Kamal El Habsati, a Dutch citizen of Moroccan descent, was found in his home at Linnbhla apartments, at Santry Cross, Ballymun, on December 5th.
The alarm was raised at 4pm after a call to the emergency services by the landlord of the apartment complex after he could not gain access to his property. Gardaí forced entry and discovered the body of Mr El Habsati who had sustained knife wounds.
On Wednesday, Jacky Lumi (41) who is from Holland but currently of no fixed abode, was detained for questioning at Ballymun Garda station.
He was brought before Judge Cormac Dunne at Dublin District Court this afternoon charged with the murder of Mr
El Habsati on December 1st.
Dressed in a black and white top, blue jeans and runners, with his hair tied back, he remained silent during the brief hearing. His solicitor Philip Hannon told the judge his client did not need an interpreter.
Det Gda Damien Rogers told the court that Mr Lumi was arrested at 1.16pm today at Ballymun Garda station and charged at 2.50pm.
Mr Lumi had “nothing to say in reply.” The detective said there was an application for a remand in custody for one week.
The defence lawyer asked for the court to direct that Mr Lumi receives appropriate medical attention in custody. “He suffers from depression,” Mr Hannon told Judge Dunne.
The judge agreed to make that order as he remanded Mr Lumi in custody.
He has not yet indicated how he will plead to the charge and his next hearing will take place at Cloverhill District Court on December 21st.