16-05-2025
Man (32) accused of producing axe in alleged murder of his mother
The late Mirjana Pap, who was a widow and mother of three, had resided in Athlone for several years and previously worked at the Athlone accommodation centre.
A man in his 30s accused of murdering his mother in her midlands home has been served with an additional charge of producing an axe during the alleged attack.
Thirty-two-year-old Nebojsa Pap, of Beechville in Athlone, Westmeath, has been on remand in Cloverhill Prison since January 3, charged with the murder of 58-year-old Mirjana Pap, who resided at the same address as her son on December 28 last year.
Mr Pap was brought before a sitting of Athlone District Court on Wednesday where details surrounding the charge were relayed before Judge Bernadette Owens.
Garda Darren Murphy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
Nebojsa Pap
News in 90 Seconds - May 16th
He said Mr Pap made no comment after caution when the charge was put to him shortly after 11:30am.
The details of that charge allege that on December 28 at 1 Beechville, Athlone, Westmeath, while committing murder, in the course of a dispute, Mr Pap produced an article in the form of an axe which was 'capable of inflicting serious injury'.
Mr Pap, who wore black tracksuit bottoms and a grey jumper to court, was flanked by two prison officers as he was led to the court's custody suite.
Sgt Paul McNally said directions on the new charge from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), like the original count of murder were for trial on indictment to the Central Criminal Court.
When asked by Judge Owens when a book of evidence was likely to be ready for serving, Sgt McNally indicated a date of June 11.
Mr Pap remained sitting and stayed silent during the course of the hearing with his head bowed throughout much of it.
Defence solicitor Mark Cooney said the case would have to be adjourned for a week given the legal confines that obligated the court to remand his client for no longer than seven days on the new charge.
It was his eighth appearance before the District Court. A garda investigation file containing almost 190 witness statements was sent to the DPP in mid-February.
A psychiatric report was completed and presented to the court earlier this year following an assessment order that was made at his initial appearance at a special sitting of Mullingar District Court in early January.
The late Ms Pap, who was a widow and mother of three, had resided in Athlone for several years and previously worked at the Athlone accommodation centre.
The Croatian national's body was found on lands close to Clonark in Co Roscommon, around 10km from Athlone, on 30 December 2024 after she had been reported missing two days earlier.
Before being led away, Pap was remanded in custody by consent, to appear back at a sitting of Athlone District Court via video link next Wednesday.
