'VICIOUS & FRENZIED'

Suspect, 32, refused bail over knife murder of mum. Geila, 27, stabbed in her 'face, neck and abdomen'

- GRAINNE NI AODHA

A 32-YEAR-OLD man has appeared before a court charged with the "vicious and frenzied" knife murder of a woman.

Romanian mum-of-four Geila Ibram, 27, was found dead at a residence on Dock Road in Limerick on Tuesday.

Habib Shamel, an Afghan national, appeared via videolink charged with her murder yesterday.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard he had been in Ireland since October 2020, and had applied for asylum.

When asked whether he understood the charge against him, he confirmed through an interpreter that he did.

A detective sergeant told the court that Ms Ibram had been stabbed "numerous times" and that the attack resulted in the defendant injuring his hand.

He told the court that evidence gathered shows a conversation between the defendant and the victim, between 11.20am and 12.40pm on April 4, which was "arranging a sexual exchange".

At the end of the conversation, the alleged victim provided her address, the court heard.