In the photo: father charged with murder of his eight-year-old daughter and attempted murder of the girl’s mother
The father of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib has appeared in court charged with her murder and the attempted murder of her mother in Co. Wexford.
Mohammad Shaker Al Tamimi, of New Ross, appeared before a special sitting of the Gorey District Court last night.
The 34-year-old has been charged with the murder of Malika and the attempted murder of her mother, Aisha Al Katib.
The schoolgirl died after suffering stab wounds while trying to intervene in a row early on Monday morning.
Detective Garda Donal Doyle of New Ross Garda Station gave evidence of his arrest and alerted the court.
He said the suspect was arrested at University Hospital Waterford shortly after 12.30pm on Tuesday.
He was then charged with the offenses at Wexford Garda station shortly after 5pm yesterday.
The court was told he did not respond to the allegations.
Mohammad Shaker Al Tamimi (pictured) appeared before a special hearing of the Gorey District Court last night
The father of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib (pictured) has appeared in court charged with murder
Dressed in dark gray trousers, white top and soft shoes, he covered himself with a blue blanket as he sat in court.
An Arabic interpreter translated the legal proceedings to the suspect.
The suspect’s lawyer, Tim Cummins, told the court he had not received instructions to make a bail application.
District Judge Kevin Staunton said bail cannot be granted in court for murder.
Mr Cummins has also applied for legal aid, saying his client has no resources.
The suspect, who was driven to Gorey District Court in a police van, was remanded in custody to appear at Wexford District Court via videolink on Monday, December 9.
Judge Staunton ordered that the suspect receive a psychological evaluation when taken into custody.
The schoolgirl was at home in New Ross with her mother when the incident happened on Sunday evening.
He covered himself with a blue blanket as he walked into the courthouse
The man is suspected of murder and attempted murder
Imam Rashid Munir (pictured) of the Waterford Islamic Center told the Mail that more tests must be carried out on Malika before her body can be released to her mother Alisha Al Katib.
It is understood she had tried to intervene when her mother was attacked.
She was taken to University Hospital Waterford but died from her injuries in the early hours of Monday.
The mother of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib is awaiting the release of her daughter’s remains as she prepares to attend her funeral this week.
Imam Rashid Munir of the Waterford Islamic Center told the Mail that more tests must be carried out on Malika before her body can be released to her mother Alisha Al Katib, 31, and family, which is expected in the coming days.
A Muslim cleansing ritual will then take place on the child’s body in a specially prepared room at University Hospital Waterford before being transported to a Muslim grave in the city of Waterford for burial.
“I was with the mother last night and it is not easy to hear the details of what happened on Sunday evening,” Mr Munir said.
“The family is still waiting for the release of Malika’s body, which we believe will happen within a few days. We support Alisha and encourage her to give the last bath to her child, which is an important ritual among Muslims.
“She is in hospital but she wants to attend her funeral when the time comes,” he said. Justice Minister Helen McEntee called the incident ‘extremely tragic’.