A man has appeared in a Dublin court charged with the murder of Mary Ward in Belfast.

Ahmed Abdirahman, 31, of Kinlay House, Dame Street, Dublin, appeared before Dublin District Court on Friday accused of murdering the 22-year-old.

The body of Ms Ward was found by police in Northern Ireland at her home in Melrose Street in Belfast on October 1.

She was last seen alive on Wednesday September 25, a day when she spent time in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, Grand Central Bus Station in Belfast and in Melrose Street.

Detective Sergeant James King from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation told the court that the accused was arrested shortly after 10pm on Thursday at Kevin Street Garda Station.

He told the court that when the charge was put to him under caution, Mr Abdirahman replied “not guilty”.

Mr Abdirahman appeared in court dressed in a navy jumper and grey trousers.

Defence solicitor Wayne Kenny told the Dublin court that he would be making an application for bail at the High Court in Dublin as soon as possible.

As the District Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear an application for bail, it will be dealt with by the High Court.

A request for legal aid was also made.

Judge William Aylmer remanded the accused in custody in Cloverhill Prison, and he will appear back in court via videolink on Friday October 18.