Mother of Mulhall sisters appears in court

The mother of the so-called "Scissor Sisters" appeared in court today charged in connection with the murder of her African boyfriend.

Kathleen Mulhall (aged 52) was arrested yesterday in relation to the killing of Kenyan man Farah Swaleh Noor, whose dismembered body was recovered from the Royal Canal in Dublin in 2005.

She appeared at Dublin District Court charged with aiding and abetting the concealment of a crime.

She was remanded in custody for one week.

Ms Mulhall, whose address was given as St Mary's Park, Carlow had been sharing a home with Mr Noor at Richmond Cottages, Ballybough in Dublin's north inner city up until his death.

She disappeared after her boyfriend's body was discovered and is understood to have been living in London for the last two years.

Detective Sergeant William Hickey, from Mountjoy Garda Station told the court she was cautioned and charged under section seven of the Criminal Law Act last night after agreeing to attend the station.

Ms Mulhall is alleged to have prevented the arrest of those suspected of murder at the Richmond Cottages on March 21 2005.

It is understood gardaí had asked her to come to Mountjoy Station for questioning.

Det Sgt Hickey said Ms Mulhall made no reply when charged.

No application for bail was made and Judge Ann Ryan remanded her in custody for one week.

Blonde-haired Mulhall dressed in a black leather jacket, trousers and hat did not speak during the brief hearing.

She is the mother of Linda and Charlotte Mulhall who were convicted in connection with the brutal murder.

Mr Noor's severed head was carried in a duffel bag on a bus to Tallaght in the south of the city, and his penis has never been found.

In December 2006, 25-year-old Charlotte was jailed for life for murdering the 38-year-old.

She is currently appealing the sentence.

Her sister Linda (aged 32) was jailed for 15 years for manslaughter and is taking a separate appeal. Last week the Court of Criminal Appeal ruled the trial judge was wrong to pass the sentence without checking probation and psychological reports.

The case was adjourned for four weeks for the reports to be completed and brought before the Appeal Court.

It is understood Ms Mulhall had been living in the UK for the last two years and Irish detectives travelled to London to meet her and ask her to return to Dublin, avoiding a potentially lengthy and complex extradition case.

Ms Mulhall returned to Ireland voluntarily this week.

She was remanded in custody to Mountjoy Prison and will appear again before Dublin District Court on February 20.