Man faces charge of murdering mother of three (34)
A LATVIAN man has been charged with the murder of a mother-of-three who was stabbed to death in a Dublin city centre apartment.
Valerijs Leitons (22) appeared in court accused of killing Skaidrite Valdgeima (34), who was found fatally wounded on Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody yesterday by Judge John Cheatle, to appear in court again next week.
Mr Leitons, with an address at St Kevin’s Gardens, Dartry is charged with the murder of Ms Valdgeima, who died after suffering fatal stab wounds in an apartment at Binary Hub, on Bonham Street in the south inner city on June 26.
He had been arrested on Wednesday and detained at Kevin Street garda station before being charged.
Detective Garda Inspector David Harrington gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Dublin District Court. “At 9.03pm yesterday at Kevin Street Garda Station, I arrested the man before the court this morning, Valerijs Leitons on suspicion of the murder of Skaidrite Valdgeima,” he said.
Mr Leitons did not reply when cautioned. Then, following the directions of the DPP, the accused was charged in Det Insp Harrington’s presence by the member in charge of the station, Garda Sergeant John Burke, at 10.08pm.
Mr Leitons made no reply to the charge after caution and was handed a copy of the charge sheet.
His barrister Eamonn O’Moore made no bail application, as bail can be granted only at High Court level on a murder charge. The judge granted free legal aid after Mr O’Moore said the accused was in receipt of disability allowance and handed a statement of his finances into court.
The judge directed the accused is to receive all relevant medical and psychiatric assistance while in custody.
Mr Leitons, dressed in a grey sweater, navy blue tracksuit bottoms and dark runners and with his right thumb in a bandage, sat at the side of the courtroom and was not required to speak.
He has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charge.