Man charged with murdering his mother sent for trial
A man charged with the murder of his mother, whose body was discovered in bogland in south Roscommon in December, has been served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court.
32-year-old Nebojsa Pap, with an address at Beechville, Athlone, appeared at Athlone District Court today.
He has been charged with the murder of his mother, Mirjana Pap, of the same address, on 28 December 2024.
Garda Olivia Connolly gave evidence of service of the book of evidence this afternoon.
Sergeant Paul McNally, for the State, indicated that Mr Pap would be sent forward for trial at the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court.
The book of evidence relates to one charge of murder and one charge of producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury in the course of the attack, which allegedly took place at the victim's home in Athlone.
Judge Bernadette Owens noted that Mr Pap had not made an application for bail and was going forward in custody.
She gave an alibi warning, and told him he was obliged to inform the state of any alibi evidence on which he intended to rely on within 14 days.
Solicitor for the accused, Ciara Macklin, applied for legal aid, which Judge Owens granted to include one senior and one junior counsel to represent Mr Pap in his trial.
Ms Pap, a 58-year-old widow and mother of three, was a Croatian native and a long term resident of Athlone.
Her body was discovered on a bogland at Curraghaleen, Co Roscommon, on 30 December 2024 after she had been reported missing two days earlier.
Her son, Mr Pap, was arrested on 3 January 2025 and later charged with the murder of Ms Pap at Beechville, Athlone on 28 December 2024, contrary to common law.
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