Joanne murder accused before the courts
THE estranged husband of a woman who was found dead in a wardrobe in a south Dublin property last month has been charged with murder.
Keith Lee, 42, appeared at a special sitting of Dublin District Court in the Criminal Courts of Justice yesterday charged over the death of Joanne Ball.
The body of 38-year-old Joanne was found in a wardrobe in an apartment in Ranelagh last month after gardaí had been informed that she had gone missing a number of days previously.
The accused wheeled himself into the court in a wheelchair yesterday. Members of Ms Ball’s family attended the court hearing.
Sergeant Jonathan Kelly of Irishtown Garda station gave evidence that Mr Lee was arrested at that station at 10.37pm on Saturday and charged with murder.
He made no reply to the charge, Judge Gráinne Malone was told by gardaí. He was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday.
Dressed in grey tracksuit bottoms, a black jacket and with both legs in black orthopaedic boots, Mr Lee, sporting an unkempt beard, shook visibly in t he courtroom.
The accused lifted his left hand during the brief court hearing and a bandage could be seen on his arm.
He only spoke to confirm the name of his solicitor Anarine McAllister of Michael Staines & Co. Mr Lee’s solicitor applied for legal aid, and requested that her client be afforded medical attention if required.
After his brief court appearance, the 42-year- old was driven from the court in the back of a wheelchair-accessible taxi under Garda escort.
Earlier yesterday morning, gardaí confirmed that a man was due to appear in court in connection with the death.
A statement read: ‘ Gardaí in Donnybrook i nvestigating the murder of Joanne Lee in February 2018 have charged a male (42 years) in connection with the murder.
‘He will appear before a special sitting at a court in the CCJ (Criminal Courts of Justice), Parkgate Street at 10am... the 18th March 2018.’