A 38 year-old man wanted for an alleged murder at his London flat last month has appeared in the High Court following his arrest in South Dublin yesterday evening.

The court heard Thomas Kearney was detained on a European Arrest Warrant at a money transfer shop on George's Street in Dun Laoghaire at around 5.30pm.

Sergeant Sean Fallon said the 38-year-old replied 'It was in self defence' when asked if he knew what the charge in the warrant was about.

Man found stabbed at Kearney's flat

The British authorities want to prosecute Mr. Kearney over the death of 35-year-old father David Remmer who was found beaten and stabbed at Kearney's flat in sheltered accommodation on Talgarth Road, West Kensington on December 13th.

Police believe the body may have been there for some days and a blood-stained knife was found at the scene.

An extradition warrant was issued by the UK when it became apparent that Mr. Kearney had left the jurisdiction.

It was endorsed by the High Court in Dublin on December 23rd.

In court today, there was no application for bail and the 38-year-old was remanded to Cloverhill Prison.

Lawyers for Mr. Kearney today told Ms. Justice Iseult O'Malley that their client feared for his safety in a shared prison cell but the judge said these were concerns that should be raised with the Prison Governor.

His case will return to court on January 15th.