Latvian man (55) charged with Limerick City murder

A 55-year-old Latvian man has appeared in court in Limerick charged with the murder of a Lithuanian man at a property in the city earlier this week.

Arnis Labunskis, with an address at 87B Wolfe Tone Street in Limerick City is accused of the murder of 39-year-old Dainius Burba at the same address on a date between April 21st and 22nd last.

Limerick District Court heard today Friday that the 55-year-old made no reply to the charge of murder when Detective Garda Brian O’Connell formally arrested him on Thursday night at 10:38pm.

Legal Aid Board defence solicitor Muiris Gavin said that he had no questions arising out of Det Gda O’Connell’s evidence and asked Judge Mary Larkin that he be assigned to represent the Latvian accused.

Given the nature of the charge, an application for bail did not arise the court was told and Sgt Donal Cronin sought that the accused be remanded in custody until next Tuesday to appear again before the court.

A Latvian interpreter has also been assigned to the case and Mr Gavin sought that the accused received all the necessary and appropriate medical assistance while in custody.

Dainius Burba, who was due to turn 40 next month, was found dead at the same address in the early hours of Wednesday morning after the alarm was a raised by concerned neighbours.

A full murder investigation was launched and it led to the arrest of the 55-year-old accused.