State may repatriate murdered Chinese

The Health Service Executive is expected to offer financial assistance to the family of a murdered Chinese man who have come to Ireland to bring home their son's remains but do not have the means to do so.

The parents of Zhi Song (23), who was stabbed to death at his home in Rialto, Dublin, on June 29th during an apparent break-in, were present at Kilmainham District Court on Tuesday when a 25-year-old Dublin man was charged with their son's murder.

It has since emerged that while the couple, Zhang Chun Siang and Ji Bong Song, and an aunt and uncle of the dead man had borrowed the money in China for their air fare to Ireland, they do not have the funds to fly their son's remains back to China.

They have also been unable to fund their stay in Ireland but have been helped in this regard. The family's accommodation and meals have been provided in Dublin B&Bs and hotels by the Garda. A Garda liaison officer has also been appointed to assist them.

A company for whom the dead mahad been working as a kitchen porter has also provided the family with money to cover any expenses they may incur while in the Republic.

In media interviews yesterday the family appealed to the Government to financially assist them in their efforts to fly home their son's remains. The family yesterday met officials from the Department of Justice in Dublin. Department officials have contacted a number of agencies on behalf of the family.

The Health Service Executive has indicated its willingness to assist and it is understood it will pay for most if not all of the costs of flying the man's remains to China.

Garda sources said the remains had not yet been released to the family because the pathologist's tests had not been completed. However, they are expected to be released to the family on Monday. It is expected the family will leave the jurisdiction immediately.

Zhi Song, an only son, had been living in Ireland for the past 2½ years. The Chinese Embassy was unable to put forward a spokesman for comment last night in relation to the family's plight.