Athlone murder accused held in custody as court hears his mother's body can be released to family

A 31-year-old man who is charged with the murder of his mother, Mirjana Pap, in Athlone late last month appeared before the town's district court by video link from Cloverhill prison this afternoon (Wednesday).

Nebojsa Pap, of Beechville, Athlone, was charged with the murder of Ms Pap at that address on December 28 last.

The body of the 58-year-old, who was originally from Croatia but had been a long-time resident of Athlone, was found on bogland at Curraghaleen, in South Roscommon, on December 30.

During today's hearing before Judge Bernadette Owens, Mr Pap was shown being brought into a video link room in Cloverhill prison escorted by prison officers.

A number of other relatives of Ms Pap were present in the court in Athlone for the brief hearing.

Sergeant Paul McNally of Athlone Garda Station said formal directions in the case from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were still being awaited, and he requested a further four-week adjournment to obtain those directions.

Defence solicitor Mark Cooney noted that a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant been ordered when he first appeared before the district court in Mullingar on Friday last.

He said it had not been anticipated that the psychiatric report would be fully completed in time for today's hearing, but that progress in this regard had not yet been made "because of measures that have been put in place" at the prison in respect of Mr Pap.

He asked for the case to be put back for two weeks in order to allow the psychiatric evaluation be carried out.

A post mortem on Ms Pap was carried out by the Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Yvonne McCarthy, at Galway University Hospital on December 31.

Mr Cooney indicated that the deceased's remains had been held in the event that the defendant would seek to have his own independent post mortem carried out. He said that, after taking instructions from his client, an independent post mortem would not be required, and that the deceased's remains could now be released to the family.

Sergeant Sandra Keane said it would be helpful to the investigating Gardai if Mr Pap's position in respect of his mother's remains could be confirmed in writing, and Mr Cooney said he would have no difficulty with providing written confirmation of his client's instructions.

Judge Owens agreed to adjourn the case for two weeks, to January 22, when Mr Pap is due to appear in court in Athlone by video link once again.