Husband charged with knife murder of wife (37)

THE husband of a French woman found stabbed to death at their Dublin home has been charged with her murder.

Renato Gehlen (35) appeared in Dublin District Court yesterday accused of murdering Anne Colomines (37), a financial executive, who was found dead at their apartment in the north of the city.

The court heard Mr Gehlen made no reply when the charge was put to him after caution. Mr Gehlen, a Brazilian national, is charged with murdering Ms Colomines (inset below) at Dorset Square Apartments, Gardiner Street, on October 24. Ms Colomines was found with multiple stab wounds at around 11.30pm that night and emergency workers pronounced her dead at the scene.

Mr Gehlen (inset left) was himself treated for serious injuries before he was arrested and charged. Yesterday, Garda Sergeant Kenneth Hoare said he arrested the defendant for the purpose of charging him at 9.54am on October 11 at Mountjoy Garda station.

He was charged at 10.10pm that night and “in reply to the charge after caution, he had no reply to make”, Sgt Hoare said. Judge Halpin asked Sgt Hoare if the directions of the DPP were available yet. “Not yet, judge,” he replied.

Defence solicitor Philip Hannon said he did not require a Portuguese interpreter for the court hearing but would need one for consultations. He asked Judge Halpin to certify for an interpreter.

No bail application was made as bail in a murder case can only be granted at the High Court.

Judge Halpin directed that the accused receives all necessary medical attention.

He also granted free legal aid after a statement of the accused’s financial means was handed in to court. Sgt Hoare said there was no Garda objection to legal aid.

Judge Halpin remanded the defendant in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on November 16.

The accused, wearing a white jumper, grey tracksuit bottoms and runners with no laces did not address the court during the brief hearing and has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charge.

Ms Colomines, who was from La Rochelle, had been living in Ireland for five years and worked at tech company Pay Pal.