The father of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib has appeared in court charged with her murder and the attempted murder of her mother in Co. Wexford.
Mohammad Shaker Al Tamimi, of New Ross, appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court yesterday evening.
The 34-year-old has been charged with the murder of Malika and the attempted murder of her mother, Aisha Al Katib.
The schoolgirl died after she suffered stab wounds in the early hours of Monday morning when attempting to intervene in a row.
Detective Garda Donal Doyle of New Ross Garda Station gave evidence of his arrest and caution to the court.
He said that the accused was arrested shortly after 12.30pm at University Hospital Waterford on Tuesday.
He was subsequently charged with the offences shortly after 5pm yesterday at Wexford Garda Station.
The court was told that he made no reply to the charges.
Mohammad Shaker Al Tamimi (pictured) appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court yesterday evening
The father of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib (pictured) has appeared in court charged with her murder
Dressed in dark grey trousers, white top and soft shoes, he covered himself with a blue blanket while sitting in court.
An Arabic interpreter translated the court proceedings to the accused.
The accused’s solicitor Tim Cummins told the court that he has received no instructions to make a bail application.
District Judge Kevin Staunton said bail cannot be granted in the District Court for a charge of murder.
Mr Cummins also made an application for legal aid, saying his client is of no means.
The accused, who was driven into Gorey District Court in a police van, was remanded into custody to appear before Wexford Court on Monday, December 9 via videolink.
Judge Staunton directed that the accused receive a psychological evaluation when he arrives into custody.
The schoolgirl was at home in New Ross with her mother when the incident happened on Sunday night.
He covered himself in a blue blanket as he walked into the courthouse
The man has been charged with murder and attempted murder
Imam Rashid Munir (pictured) of the Waterford Islamic Centre told the Mail that more tests need to be carried out on Malika before her body can be released to her mother Alisha Al Katib
It is understood that she had attempted to intervene when her mother was attacked.
She was taken to University Hospital Waterford but died from her injuries in the early hours of Monday.
The mother of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib is waiting for her daughter’s remains to be released as she prepares to attend her funeral this week.
Imam Rashid Munir of the Waterford Islamic Centre told the Mail that more tests need to be carried out on Malika before her body can be released to her mother Alisha Al Katib, 31, and family, which is expected over the coming days.
A Muslim cleansing ritual will then take place on the child’s body at a specially prepared room at University Hospital Waterford before she is transported to a Muslim plot in Waterford city for burial.
‘I was with the mother last night and it’s not easy to hear the details of what happened on Sunday night,’ Mr Munir said.
‘The family are still waiting for the body of Malika to be released, which we think will be in a couple of days. We’re supporting Alisha and are encouraging her to give the last bath to her child which is an important ritual among Muslims.
‘She is in hospital but she wants to attend her burial when that time comes,’ he said. Justice Minister Helen McEntee called the incident ‘extremely tragic’.