A 39-year-old man was charged yesterday with withholding evidence from gardaí in relation to the murder of James Purcell, who was found dead in his apartment two weeks ago.
Mr Purcell (60), Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny, was found at an apartment in Henrietta Street, Waterford, after a friend had not been able to contact him for some time.
A postmortem by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy revealed that Mr Purcell died from trauma injuries to the neck and throat.
A weapon was found at the scene.
A motive for the murder has yet to be established, although gardaí said yesterday a murder resulting from a robbery was one of the possibilities.
On Wednesday evening in Waterford, Lithuanian Vladimir Ivanov, Thomas Street, was arrested and charged with obstructing a Garda investigation into the murder of Mr Purcell.
Gardaí arrested a number of people last weekend.
Mr Ivano made no reply to a charge of withholding evidence and to the possession of cannabis, when informed of his rights by a translator following his arrest.
In court yesterday counsel for the defendant, Brian Chessar, described his client as a seaman who had been out of work for the last four months.
He was not in a position to put up independent surety, it emerged.
The accused man qualified for legal aid and applied for a social welfare supplement.
He had been surviving on some "very small savings" accrued.
Gardaí said the accused man had admitted he would not remain in the jurisdiction, should he be granted bail.
Judge William Hammell remanded him in custody.
He will appear at Waterford District Court next Thursday.
