A man was yesterday charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a building labourer in Jurys Hotel at Croke Park, Dublin, early on New Year's Day.
Martin McLaughlin (21) died after he became involved in a row at the hotel, where he was staying with friends to celebrate the new year.
At Dublin District Court, Det Sgt Gerard McDonnell said he arrested Karl Breen (25), originally from Clondalkin, west Dublin, at 4.50pm on Tuesday.
"I arrested the accused at Fitzgibbon Street, where he had come to the Garda station by appointment," he said.
The court heard that Mr Breen was charged with assault causing serious harm to Mr McLaughlin between 4am and 4.30am on January 1st in Jurys Hotel.
Det Sgt McDonnell said that when the charge, under section 4 on the Non-Fatal Offences Against a Person Act, was read out he replied: "I'm sorry."
Mr Breen was granted a brief consultation with his solicitor, and when his case was called again an hour and a half later, Det Sgt McDonnell said gardaí would be objecting to bail.
"I'm satisfied that if the accused is granted bail, he will not stand for trial," he said.
Det Sgt McDonnell said he was basing this on the seriousness of the charge, the possibility of further charges being brought and the strength of the evidence against Mr Breen.
He said that on October 29th, 2004 and February 9th, 2005, he had failed to appear in court in connection with road traffic offences.
"Also, the accused deliberately avoided arrest and went on the run after incidents, having failed to keep earlier appointments," he said.
The court heard gardaí had called seven times in recent days to the address of a flat provided by Mr Breen at Kearns Court, Kilmainham, but had been unable to locate him.
Det Sgt McDonnell said the charges before the court were of a serious nature. It would be alleged that Mr Breen and his friends had booked into Jurys Hotel for New Year's Eve and that he had taken cocaine that night.
It would also be alleged that at 4am, the accused had returned to his room.
"It will be alleged that an altercation took place between the accused and the victim in which the victim was stabbed on a number of occasions. The victim has since died," he said.
Judge William Early said he would not fix bail but would defer the application for two days.
He remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on January 6th to renew his bail application.