Man charged with murder of homeless woman in Dublin

A 43-year-old man appeared in court this afternoon charged with the murder of a woman at a homeless shelter in Dublin on Wednesday last.

UK national, Clive Butcher, with Dublin address at 94 Ranelagh Road, in Ranelagh, Dublin was charged at Dublin District Court with murder.

Mother of one, Rebecca Toban (aged 28), from Dublin’s south inner city was found dead on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 17 last, from stab wounds, in a building used for homeless people in Ranelagh.

She was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

Detective Sergeant Jim Byrne, of Donneybrook station, told District Court president Judge Miriam Malone that he arrested Mr Butcher this morning.

After he was cautioned Mr Butcher replied “what am I being charged with?” When charged with the offence he responded by saying “No.”

Det-Sgt Bryne said Mr Butcher, who was wearing a dark grey hooded top, with navy tracksuit bottoms and runners, was then given a copy of the charge.

He told Judge Malone that he was making an application for the defendant to be remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison.

Judge Malone consented to the application and remanded Mr Butcher in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday morning next.

Legal aid was granted.