A man has been charged with the murder of his 29-year-old partner at their home in Kilkenny last weekend.

Renars Veigulis, a 31-year-old Latvian national who was living at 2 Bridge Street in Freshford, is charged with murdering Rita Apine at Bridge Street.

Ms Apine died on May 14th after being found with serious injuries at the bottom of the stairs.

She was treated on the footpath outside the house by paramedics after the emergency services were alerted, but died later at St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny.

Mr Veigulis was initially arrested that afternoon but was released without charge last Monday night.

He was re-arrested on Friday and questioned at Kilkenny Garda Station throughout Friday evening and Saturday, before being officially charged last night.

He was brought by unmarked garda car to the courthouse in Kilkenny city at 10.50am this morning for a special sitting of the district court, accompanied by a number of gardaí.

During the hearing, Detective Sergeant Sean O’Meara told the court that he formally arrested the accused at 8.32pm last night and charged him.

After he was cautioned, Mr Veigulis replied “no.”

Tony Collier, solicitor for the accused said that, given the nature of the charge, there would be no application for bail. He did apply for legal aid which was granted by Judge Colin Daly.

Inspector Joe Carton applied to the court for a remand in custody to Cloverhill district court.

Judge Daly remanded the accused in custody, with the consent of the defence.

Originally from Latvia, Rita Apine lived at St Teresa’s Terrace in Kilkenny city for some time before moving with her young daughter to rented accommodation in Freshford late last year.

A memorial service has been taking place this afternoon at Loughboy in Kilkenny.

A candlelit vigil held on Thursday night in Freshford was attended by hundreds of people.