A former partner is to stand trial accused of the murder of Nadine Lott who died after sustaining serious injuries in her home shortly before Christmas.
Daniel Murtagh, 32, was remanded in custody when he appeared at Cloverhill District Court yesterday.
The mother of one, from Co Wicklow, passed away on December 17 in St Vincent’s Hospital where she had been in a critical condition.
The beauty therapist had been found injured at the property in St Mary’s Court, Arklow, at around 4am three days earlier.
On December 16, Murtagh appeared at Bray District Court accused of a serious assault on Ms Lott.
The charge was under section four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act for causing serious harm which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Bail was refused following an objection by Detective Garda Darren Mulhall of Arklow station.
At yesterday’s hearing the case against Murtagh, of Melrose Grove, Clondalkin, West Dublin, was upgraded to murder.
Det Gda Mulhall told Judge Victor Blake he put the charge to the accused yesterday morning.
Murtagh was cautioned after which “he made no reply”.
Dressed in a black jacket and dark trousers, the defendant nodded to family members in the public gallery as he entered the courtroom.
He only spoke quietly to communicate with his solicitor Padraig O’Donovan during the hearing.
Noting the new charge, Judge Blake asked if the DPP had issued formal directions.
Det Gda Mulhall said those were for trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court.
The officer told the court the assault charge still stands.
The DPP had also directed Murtagh could be sent forward on a signed plea of guilty, should that arise.
However, his solicitor said: “That will not apply.”
The accused was further remanded in custody and consented to appear via video-link for his next hearing at the same court next Tuesday.
The court heard a book of evidence has to be prepared by the DPP.
Murtagh waved to his relatives as he was escorted from the courtroom.
Mr O’Donovan asked the judge to direct psychiatric and medical attention for his client in custody.
He agreed to make the recommendation if it was deemed appropriate. Legal aid was granted.
Due to the nature of the new charge the district court cannot consider bail and an application will have to be brought to the High Court if the accused seeks to get released pending his trial.
