Portuguese man charged with the murder of brother

A 45-year-old Portuguese man has been remanded in custody after being formally charged with the murder of his brother in Galway yesterday.

Laurentino da Silva of Dominic Street, Portumna was charged at Loughrea District Court with murdering Fernando da Silva at the same address.

Garda William O'Gorman told the court that he arrested da Silva at two minutes past midnight this morning at Loughrea Garda Station.

He was formally charged with the murder of 43-year-old Fernando da Silva at Dominic Street, Portumna in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Garda O'Gorman told the court he cautioned the accused through an interpreter, and that in response the accused replied in Portuguese "it was in self-defence - I lost control, I lost my mind."

Defence Solicitor John O'Neill made no application for bail, but requested that the Portugese interpreter attend all future court hearings.

Da Silva was remanded in custody to appear before Harristown District Court at 10.30am on Friday February 8.