Man appears in court charged with murder of woman at Limerick apartment

A 26-year-old man has appeared before a Belfast court charged with the murder of a woman in Limerick city earlier this week.

Geila Ibram, a 27-year-old woman from Romania, was found dead at a residence on Dock Road, close to O'Curry Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Habib Shamel, an Afghan national, appeared before court via videolink, this Saturday, charged with her murder.

He was arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland on Thursday.

Man charged with murder of woman at Limerick apartment

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the defendant had been in Ireland since October 2022, and had applied for asylum.

When asked whether he understood the charge against him, he confirmed through an interpreter that he did.

A detective sergeant told the court that Ms Ibram had been stabbed “numerous times” and that the attack resulted in the defendant injuring his hand.

The district judge refused the man bail, calling the charge “a very grave offence”.

Mr Shamel was remanded in custody to appear in court again on May 2.