Man accused of murdering Mary Ward in Belfast lodges bail application

Detectives attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Ahmed Abdirahman on October 9 in Dublin city centre and charged him with murder on September 25

The PSNI launched a murder probe after the lifeless body of Mary Ward was found on October 1 in her home on Melrose Street in south Belfast. Photo: PSNI/PA

A man arrested in Dublin and charged with the murder of Belfast mother of one Mary Ward at her home last month has lodged a High Court bail application.

Ahmed Abdirahman, 31, was remanded in custody on October 11 after appearing at Dublin District Court, which does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in a murder case.

His solicitor, Wayne Kenny, had said a bail application would be made as soon as possible, and it was on this week's High Court bail list in Cloverhill.

It was positioned at 82, among the new cases section of the list, which had a total of 91 pending applications. However, it did not proceed and was put back to a later date for a hearing date to be set.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) commenced a murder probe after the lifeless body of Mary Ward, 22, was found on October 1 in her home on Melrose Street in south Belfast. She was last seen alive on September 25 and had suffered neck injuries.

The PSNI and An Garda Síochána conducted a joint investigation, and detectives attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) arrested Mr Abdirahman on October 9 in Dublin city centre and charged him with murder on September 25.

At his first hearing, the accused, who had an address at Kinlay House, Dame St, Dublin 2, was held in prison custody following a brief district court appearance in which Detective Sergeant James King said Mr Abdirahman's reply to the charge was "not guilty".

The accused, who had an address at Kinlay House, Dublin 2, was also granted legal aid. Under the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976, a person can be charged and tried in the Republic for offences allegedly committed in Northern Ireland.

Earlier, the PSNI had issued a statement: "An Garda Síochána will now lead the joint investigation into the death of Mary Ward with continued support from the PSNI."

An Garda Síochána also said it would continue to work closely with the PSNI on the investigation. Mr Abdirahman is also due before the District Court on November 1 and awaits the DPP's directions, while a book of evidence must be served before a return-for-trial order is granted.