Man, 39, appears in court charged with murder of mother of three in Waterford
Yveta Donovalova: Found dead at her home in Waterford city
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a mother of three in Waterford.
Tomas Marvanek, aged 39, of Grange Heights, Waterford, was charged on Wednesday in relation to the murder of Yveta Donovalova. He was remanded in custody at a special sitting of Waterford District Court at 7.30pm on Wednesday evening.
Detective Garda Sean Lane said that when he arrested the defendant at 11.50pm on Tuesday and cautioned him “in the usual manner”, Mr Marvanek said nothing.
He said that when he charged him at 12.10am and again cautioned him, the defendant told him: “I have nothing to say.”
His solicitor, Ken Cunningham, requested that Judge Kevin Staunton direct that his client undergo psychiatric and medical assessments, to which the judge agreed.
The defendant, who sat with an interpreter by his side, was remanded in custody to appear again, by video link, on May 5.
Ms Donovalova suffered a fatal assault at a house in Waterford city on Monday evening.
The 43-year-old cleaner from Czechia was found at a premises in Grange Heights, where she had lived for more than 10 years.
Gardaí and emergency services were called to the house around 6.15pm on Monday where they found the woman critically injured.
Although initially conscious, she succumbed to her injuries and was rushed to University Hospital Waterford. She was pronounced dead a short while later.
Described by neighbours as a “lovely lady”, Ms Donovalova was the mother of three teenage children.
Fr Liam Power, a local priest who knew the woman , said she was “an extremely hard worker” and “totally devoted” to her children.
A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Waterford Garda station.
A family liaison officer has also been assigned to support the family of the deceased.
A neighbour described Ms Donovalova as a “lovely, lovely neighbour, lovely person, very friendly”.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.
Anyone who was in the Grange Heights area on Monday, April 27 between 6pm and 6.30pm who may have camera footage, including CCTV or dashcam, is asked to provide this footage to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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