Man in court over Dublin murder

A man has appeared in court accused of impeding the investigation of a murder allegedly carried out by his brother.

A man has appeared in court accused of impeding the investigation of a murder allegedly carried out by his brother.

Anthony Locke is accused of cleaning a flat where Christopher Jackson was killed and concealing his body.

His brother Bernard Locke was yesterday charged with the murder of his 53-year-old neighbour in a house on Prussia Street, in the Stoneybatter area of Dublin.

Dublin District Court heard the victim - who lived in the building with his partner and son - was stabbed to death, his body wrapped in a plastic bag and sheets with tape before being dumped in a wardrobe in his own flat.

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Gardaí made the discovery on Saturday after a tip-off, and it is believed Mr Jackson’s body may have been in the flat for a number of days.

Mr Locke (35), of no fixed abode - dressed in black tracksuit bottoms and hooded top, did not speak during the brief hearing.

Detective Garda Denis Ellard said when Locke was charged last night, he replied: "I’m not guilty."

But the court was told he had made signed admissions in relation to the cleaning of the scene over the course of five interviews in Garda custody.

The garda objected to bail on the grounds he believed Mr Locke was a flight risk because of admissions he made about wishing to leave the country.

“My belief is Mr Locke will intimidate witnesses,” Det Garda Ellard added.

Judge Patricia McNamara refused bail and remanded the accused in custody until next Tuesday.

Mr Locke was being questioned at Mountjoy Garda station since his arrest on Saturday.

A woman in her 40s who was also held for questioning was released without charge yesterday.

Yesterday, Bernard Locke was remanded in custody until Thursday during a District Court hearing where he was charged with Mr Jackson’s murder.