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A MAN was charged today with the murder of a mother of three whose body was found in her fire-gutted home.
Darren Murphy (36), of Dan Desmond Villas, Passage West, Cork was charged before Cork District Court with the murder of Olivia Dunlea O'Brien (36).
Her body was discovered in an upstairs bedroom of her semi-detached home at No 26 Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, Cork at 1am last Sunday.
Judge Leo Malone was told by Detective Garda Anthony Harrington that Murphy made no reply to gardai when cautioned and charged at Togher Garda Station shortly after 12 noon today.
He is charged with the murder, contrary to common law, of Ms Dunlea O'Brien at Pembroke Crescent on February 17 last.
Murphy remained silent throughout the three-minute hearing with his head bowed.
Free legal aid was sanctioned for Murphy after the court heard that he is not currently working.
Solicitor Emmet Boyle told the court there were concerns for his client's welfare and he was asking that he be given a psychiatric assessment while in custody.
Judge Malone remanded Murphy in custody to appear by video-link before Cork District Court on Thursday.
Because a murder charge is involved, bail can only be dealt with by the High Court.
Mother of three Ms Dunlea O'Brien was found dead in her two-storey semi-detached home shortly after 1am last Sunday when Gardai and fire brigade units were alerted to a blaze by neighbours.
Ms Dunlea-O'Brien is survived by her parents, Jimmy and Ann, her two sisters, her former husband, Adrian, and her three children, Aaron (12), Megan (10) and Daragh (9).
