Man appears in court charged with murder of his partner in Enniskerry

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his partner at her home in Co Wicklow on Christmas Eve.

Bahaalddin Al Shwawrah (42), originally from Jordan, made no comment when the charge was put to him at Bray Garda station on Sunday morning.

Zeinat Bashabsheh, a mother-of-five aged 42 and also from Jordan, was found dead in her home in Enniskerry on Friday.

Mr Al Shwawrah appeared at a special sitting of Bray District Court on Sunday wearing a tracksuit and sandals and walking with the aid of a crutch.

The court heard from Sergeant Ger Brennan of Bray Garda station that the accused was arrested for the purpose of charge on Sunday morning after the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that he be charged with murder, contrary to common law.

He is accused of murdering Ms Bashabsheh at a home in Park Na Sillogue Court, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow on December 24th.

The court heard there could no be application for bail. The District Court does not have the power to grant bail in murder cases.

Mr Alshwawrah’s solicitor applied for legal aid and said his client is on disability allowance. The application was granted. He also applied for an Arabic interpreter, preferably one who speaks Jordanian.

Judge David Kennedy remanded the accused in custody in Cloverhill Prison pending a further hearing on December 29th.