Neighbour charged with Prussia Street murder

A man stated “no response” after he was charged with the murder of a 53-year-old neighbour, who was found stabbed to death at his home in Dublin at the weekend, a court was told today.

The body of Christopher Jackson, who had sustained multiple stab wounds, was discovered on Saturday in a flat at 82 Prussia Street, in Dublin city's north-side.

His corpse had been concealed in a plastic bag in wardrobe at the flat for approximately two days; a man was arrested about 15 minutes after the discovery and then detained for questioning.

This morning Bernard Locke (aged 39), who also has an address at 82 Prussia Street, was brought before Dublin District Court accused of murdering Mr Jackson.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Daly told Judge Patricia McNamara that he arrested Mr Locke at the Bridewell Garda station at 10.43pm last night to charge him.

A few minutes later he was charged with murdering Mr Jackson on or about September 7 last.

“I arrested the defendant Bernard Locke for the purpose of charging with the offence of murder,” Det-Sgt Daly told the court. He said Mr Locke was charged in his presence “and after caution he stated 'no response'”.

Mr Locke was wearing a black sweater, grey tracksuit trousers and runners during the brief hearing but did not address the court. He sat silently with his arms folded as the Det-Sgt Daly read out his reply to the charge.

The judge consented to a request from defence solicitor Anarine McAllister that her client's case would be listed again at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.

Mr Locke, who has not yet indicated how he will plead to the charge, was remanded in custody and legal aid was granted after the court was furnished with a statement of his means.

Two other people, a man and a woman, who had been arrested on Saturday were being questioned today in connection with Mr Jackson's death.