A man charged with assaulting his mother at her Ballybrit home had the charge against him raised to murder when he appeared in court in Galway on Wednesday morning.
Thirty-three-year-old Dubravko Ostojic, of Claí Mór, Ballybrit, Galway, was brought before Galway District Court on Wednesday morning from custody.
He was initially charged with assault but this has been upgraded to murder after Milena Ostojic (65 ) died from serious injuries sustained at her home at Clai Mór, Ballybrit, on April 24.
Detective Garda Gerry Carroll gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, during the brief hearing. Ostojic made no reply when the charges were earlier put to him.
John Martin solicitor (defending ), said his client had very good English and that there was no necessity for an interpreter.
Judge Fiona Lydon said due to the seriousness of the charge any question of bail was a matter for the High Court.
Garda Sgt Claire Heneghan told that court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had instructed that an assault charge be withdrawn. Judge Lydon struck out that charge.
Ostojic was remanded in custody, to appear via video-link at next Monday's sitting of Galway District Court on September 7.
