LAST UPDATE | 7 Jun

A MAN HAS been remanded in custody charged with the murder of a Croatian national who died after he suffered severe head injuries in west Dublin.

Carpenter Josip Štrok, 31, who lived in central Dublin, was wounded at Grange View Way, Clondalkin, on 30 March.

His friend David Družinec, 28, was allegedly attacked during the same incident.

Josip Štrok died from his injuries four days later, on 3 April, in Tallaght Hospital.

Gardaí arrested unemployed Mark Lee, 43, who is of no fixed abode, yesterday and held him at Clondalkin station, where he was charged at 1.31 pm today with the murder of Josip Štrok.

He was brought to appear before Judge Michael Connellan at an evening sitting of Dublin District Court.

Dressed in a pink and white striped shirt, light blue jeans, and runners, he sat silently at the side of the courtroom clutching a black anorak. Detective Garda Linda Ryan told the court that the accused “made no reply” when charged.

The District Court cannot consider bail in a murder case, which requires an application before the High Court.

Judge Connellan remanded Mr Lee, who has yet to indicate a plea, in custody to appear via video link at Cloverhill District Court on 13 June for directions from the Director of Public Prosecution.

He also granted legal aid after noting from the defence solicitor, Philip Denieffe, that the accused “is not currently working”. A statement of his means was also handed into court.

He is the third person charged in connection with the death of Josip Štrok.

In April, Connor Rafferty, 19, of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin, and Anthony Delappe, 18, of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin, were both charged at Ballyfermot Garda station with the murder of Mr Štrok and assault causing harm to Družinec on 30 March.