A Lithuanian man has appeared before a special sitting of Tullamore District Court, charged with the murder of a Latvian man in Co. Laois at the weekend.

Deivydas Zigelis (36) with an address at 24 Spa Street in Portarlington was charged with the murder of Alexander Karpov (26) in Portarlington on Saturday.

The court was told Mr. Zigelis worked as a binman in Naas and earned approximately €450 a week.

Acknowledging the fact that the defendant would not now be working, Judge Catherine Staines granted legal aid and approved the request for an interpreter.

She remanded the defendant in custody to reappear before Cloverhill District Court on February 20th.