18-year-old youth makes appearance in court in Dundalk charged with the murder of man

An 18-year-old man appeared in court on Thursday evening last charged with the murder of a Japanese national on the Avenue Road.

Mohamed Morei was brought before a special sitting of Dundalk District Court charged with the murder of Yosuke Sasaki on the morning of Wednesday, January 3rd.

Judge Gerry Jones was told that there were issues in confirming Mr Morei’s nationality.

Garda Inspector Martin Beggy told the court: ‘ There is an issue with his nationality. That is undetermined at present.’

Inspector Beggy also told the court that there were no links between the 18 year old and Mr.Sasaki, adding there was nothing ‘in common between the deceased and the accused.’

Garda Damien Welby gave evidence to the court that he arrested the accused at 4.32 on Thursday at Dundalk Garda Station, the Crescent.

Mr Morei had been charged at 5.20pm and made no reply when cautioned. He charge was then read to him by an interpreter.

The court also heard that Gda Damien Welby, of Blackrock garda station, was the unarmed officer who initially arrested the accused in the day the alleged murder took place.

The accused made a number of outbursts during what was a brief court sitting. At different stages during the sitting, he shouted ‘I’m not gay’, ‘F*** you’ and ‘I’m no Muslim’.

Defence counsel Barry Callan applied for free legal aid for the accused. He asked for an Arabic translator and that the defendant be medically and psychologically evaluated. No application for bail was made.