Man appears in court over fatal stabbing

A MAN has appeared in court in connection with a fatal stabbing following a row on Dublin’s southside in the early hours of last Saturday morning.

Dane Pearse, 20, of 5 Londonbridge Drive, Sandymount, Dublin 4, was charged under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act with serious assault on Mark Spellman at nearby Londonbridge Road.

He is also charged with possession of a weapon.

Mr Spellman, 26, from Knocknacree Park in Dalkey, south Dublin, suffered a stab wound when he was attacked after becoming involved in a row at about 2am.

He was brought to St Vincent’s Hospital but was pronounced dead about an hour and a half later.

The accused, who was arrested late on Saturday evening, appeared before Judge Tom Fitzpatrick at Dublin District Court yesterday morning.

He was neatly dressed in a shirt and tie and the court heard he made no reply when charged.

Judge Fitzpatrick remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court tomorrow.

Gardaí at Donnybrook station are still appealing for witnesses to the incident in which Mr Spellman was fatally injured.

Detectives are asking for anyone who witnessed any disturbances in the area around Lansdowne Tennis Club to come forward.

They are investigating reports that Mr Spellman did not know the parties involved in the row but was attacked when he intervened in an attempt to calm the situation.