Man charged with Jolanta’s murder and unlawful killing of Enrika

A 26-year-old man was last night charged with the double killing of a mother, originally from Lithuania, and her young daughter, at their home in Killorglin, Co Kerry, two weeks ago.

Aurimas Andruska, a Lithuanian with an address at 7 Ardmoniel Heights, Killorglin, was brought under heavy Garda escort to a special district court sitting in Killarney before Judge James O’Connor.

He was charged with the murder of Jolanta Lubiene, aged 27, at Langford Downs, Killorglin, on Jun 15, and with unlawfully killing Enrika Lubyte, aged 8, at the same address on the same date. He was remanded in custody to Cork Prison and will appear again at Killarney District Court next Tuesday.

Andruska had been arrested on Thursday and detained overnight by gardaí in Killarney. He was released without charge at lunchtime yesterday, but was re-arrested at teatime.

A crowd of about 200, including many children, had gathered outside the courthouse at Fair Hill when gardaí in three unmarked cars arrived with the accused for the hearing.

The crowd clapped and cheered after the accused was taken from the car by detectives. He kept his head down when faced by a large group of photographers as he was brought into the courthouse.

Ms Lubiene’s widower Marius Lubys, her sister Kristina, and brother-in-law Vaidas Kulevicius had arrived earlier and sat together in the public gallery for the six-minute hearing.

A distressed Kristina wept continuously and was comforted by family members and gardaí.

Detective Sergeant John Kelly told the court that he arrested Andruska at School Rd, Sunhill, Killorglin, at 6.36pm last evening. He was subsequently conveyed to Killarney Garda Station, where he was charged at 7.46pm.

The witness said that when charged with the murder of Ms Lubiene, he replied: “I didn’t kill. I can only tell.’’ When charged in relation to Enrika Lubyte, he replied: “I will tell you exactly the same.’’

Solicitor Peter Malone applied for legal aid for the accused and handed in a statement of means to the court. Legal aid was granted.

Supt Flor Murphy, Killarney, applied for a remand in custody which was also granted.

Judge O’Connor extended his sympathy to the bereaved family members in court and asked that his condolences be conveyed to the family in Lithuania.

Fair-haired Andruska, dressed in a dark track-suit pants and grey striped top, did not speak and was jeered by the crowd on the street as he was taken from the courthouse.