A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with the rape and murder of a 65-year-old woman who was found in a flat in Derry following an arson attack last weekend.
Ciaran Murray (28), of Gortfoyle Place in Derry City, has been charged with the murder of Montserrat Martorell at Harvey Street, as well as arson endangering life with intent on Saturday August 24.
He faced Derry Magistrates’ Court via video link this morning for a first remand hearing.
When the offences were put to him by the court clerk, Murray replied: “Yes, I understand the charges.”
A detective inspector from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team said she believed she could connect Murray to the charges.
No application for bail was made during the short remand hearing.
The case will return to the court on Thursday, September 26.
Murray will be taken to the remand unit at Maghaberry Prison until his next court appearance.