Judge remands brother of accused in Prussia Street murder case

on 11/09/2012 12:14:43

A man was refused bail today after he was accused of helping to cover up the murder of a 53-year-old man found stabbed to death at his home in Dublin at the weekend.

The body of Christopher Jackson, who was repeatedly stabbed, was discovered on Saturday in a flat he shared with his partner at 82 Prussia Street, in Dublin city's north-side.

His body had been concealed in a plastic bag, in wardrobe at the flat for at least two days.

Yesterday morning his neighbour Bernard Locke, who also lived at 82 Prussia Street, was remanded in custody by Dublin District Court after he was charged with murdering Mr Jackson on or about September 7 last.

He had stated "no response" after he was charged and will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.

This morning, his brother Anthony Locke (aged 35), who is of no fixed abode, was brought before Dublin District Court charged under Section 7.2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1997.

The charge states that on or about September 7 at 82 Prussia Street, where another person committed the murder, Anthony Locke knowing and believing this person was guilty of the offence did an act with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of that individual.

Detective Denis Ellard said Mr Locke replied "I am not guilty" when was charged at Mountjoy Garda station on last night.

He objected to bail citing the seriousness of the offence and said that Locke was a "flight risk" and has stated he wished to leave the jurisdiction as a result of this incident.

Det-Gda Ellard said it would be alleged that Mr Locke cleaned the scene after the murder and concealed Mr Jackson's body. He said further charges could be brought against him and there were fears he would interfere with witnesses in the case.

Judge Patricia McNamara refused to grant bail and remanded Mr Locke in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on September 18 next.

Dressed in black tracksuit bottoms and a yellow and black hooded top, he remained silent and sat with his arms folded during the brief hearing this morning.

A woman in her forties who had been questioned by gardaí in connection with the investigation, was released without charge yesterday afternoon and a file is being prepared for the DPP.