A 28-year-old man has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a mother of four in Waterford city last week.

Danny Whelan, of no fixed abode but originally from Thurles in Co Tipperary, was brought before Waterford district court this morning after being charged at Waterford Garda station last night.

The accused arrived in the courtroom at about 10.25am, accompanied by plain-clothes Gardaí. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a grey hoodie and black trainers.

Detective Garda Patrick Kelly said he charged Danny Whelan at 9.30pm on Monday night in the Garda station and the accused made no reply to the charge.

The accused’s solicitor, Colin Morrissey, said he was told by his client that he had said “not guilty” to the charge but

Detective Garda Kelly said this was incorrect and there was no reply.

Mr Morrissey applied for free legal aid, which was granted by Judge Kevin Staunton, and said that his client was on social welfare. He also asked that Danny Whelan be afforded all medical and psychiatric care needed. He had been released from Waterford Regional Hospital “in respect to a self-harming issue”.

Judge Staunton directed that “all medical or psychological treatment as is deemed necessary” be provided to the accused.

Inspector Tony Lonergan said the State’s application was for a remand in custody. The judge remanded Danny Whelan in custody, to appear again before Waterford district court next Monday.

Samantha Walsh’s body was found in an apartment on Thomas Street, Waterford city, on Friday afternoon by emergency personnel after a man raised the alarm.

A post-mortem examination conducted on Saturday at University Hospital Waterford by deputy state pathologist Dr Michael Curtis confirmed that she had been assaulted.

Reporting by Conor Kane