A 24-year-old woman has appeared in court in Dublin accused of impeding the investigation into the murder of Maurice Martin.

Siobhan Whitaker who is originally from Finglas but living in Maida Vale, London was arrested this morning at Dublin airport coming off a flight from Luton. She was brought before Blanchardstown District Court.

She is charged that at Valeview Drive in Finglas on June 12th 2009 she impeded the apprehension of an individual who she knew or believed to be guilty of Maurice Martin's murder.

The body of the 21-year-old deceased was found fatally stabbed that same day at the junction of Cardiffsbridge Road and the Tolka Valley Road. It is understood he was attacked at an apartment after attending a nightclub.

Siobhan Whitaker was questioned at the time. She has been living in London since last September and works with the elderly. The court heard she has a 6-year-old son in Dublin who she visits every month.

She was arrested at 7:50am this morning coming off a flight from Luton and brought to Blanchardstown garda station. Detective Sergeant Tom Lynch told the court she gave no reply when charged after caution but shook her head indicating 'no'.

Refused bail on flight risk grounds

At today's hearing she wore a black skirt, leggings, gold sandals and a beige top. She looked on the verge of tears when Judge David McHugh refused bail on the grounds she is a flight risk.

Her solicitor had asked that her client be given permission to reside with her grandmother in Finglas or to return to London where she lives with her boyfriend.

Judge McHugh called the charge a 'very serious allegation'. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed trial on indictment at the Central Criminal Court

The 24-year-old has been remanded in custody for a week to appear in court again in Blanchardstown. The judge has directed that she receives medical attention on the basis she has a history of depression.