34-year-old Muhammad Shaker Al Tamimi has appeared before Gorey District Court this evening charged with the murder of his 8-year-old daughter and the attempted murder of her mother in their home in New Ross.
8-year old Malika Al Kattib died after being allegedly stabbed by her father in the neck on Sunday night. Her mother, Aisha Al Kattib, was also injured in the incident.
Al Tamimi, who is of Middle Eastern origin, had been arrested by Gardaí at University Hospital Waterford and charged just after 5pm this evening in connection to the murder of the child.
Gardaí reportedly believe that Al Tamimi was recently released from prison in the UK where he was held due to fraud related offenses. The suspect is said to have returned to Ireland only days before the fatal assault on the eight-year-old girl.
Malika’s mother, an Irish convert to Islam, Aisha Al Katib, was stabbed in the chest in the assault which reportedly took place over the use of social media.
Malika became aware of the disturbance and got out of bed to see what was happening.
The child then reportedly got between her mother and the attacker who allegedly slit her throat.
After stabbing the woman and slitting the child’s throat, the attacker allegedly turned the knife on himself but sustained only minor injuries.
The accused made no reply to the charges, Det Gda Doyle told the court. Judge Kevin Staunton remanded Mr Al Tamimi in custody to appear before Wexford District Court via video link on Monday 9 December.
He also instructed for Mr Al Tamimi to be psychologically evaluated. An Arabic interpreter translated court proceedings for the accused.