Man to go on trial for murder of a mother and child

A 27-year-old Lithuanian man, who has been charged with the murder of a mother and her daughter, has been sent forward for trial.

The book of evidence in the case of Aurimas Andruska, who has an address at Ardmoniel Heights, Killorglin, Co Kerry, was served yesterday at Kenmare District Court.

He is charged with the murder of Lithuanian woman Jolanta Lubiene, aged 27, and her eight-year-old daughter, Enrika, who were found stabbed to death when gardaí called to their rented house at Langford Downs, in Killorglin, on Jun 16 last.

Judge James O’Connor sent the accused forward to the present sittings of the Central Criminal Court and he was further remanded in custody.

Judge O’Connor granted free legal aid for a senior counsel and a junior counsel in each case and also legal aid to cover the cost of translation of the book of evidence into Lithuanian.

Solicitor Michael O’Donnell, for the accused, also asked that black and white photographs in the book of evidence be replaced with colour photographs and this was also granted.

The late Ms Lubiene’s sister, Kristina Kuleviciene, who lives in Milltown, Co Kerry, was in the courtroom for the brief hearing.

Andruska, who sat in the dock beside a prison officer, was first charged on Jun 28 and has since made a number of court appearances in connection with the killings.