Ahmed Abdirahman, accused of murdering Mary Ward, has been refused bail

A 31-year-old man charged with the murder of Mary Ward has been refused bail.

A Dublin court heard today that Ahmed Abdirahman and Mary Ward had a “tempestuous relationship”.

The 22-year-old mother-of-one was found dead with a gash to her neck in her home on Melrose Street, south Belfast, on October 1.

A shard of glass stained with blood was found at the crime scene.

Ahmed Abdirahman, originally from Somalia, was arrested in Dublin on October 9 and the case against him is being heard in Dublin.

Ms Ward's body was found by police officers who attended her home on October 1 – but it is believed she was killed on September 25.

Mr Abdirahman traveled to Dublin on September 26 and was admitted to the Mater Hospital that day with an arm injury from broken glass and a leg injury.

He told health workers that he had fallen on broken glass the night before.

Cloverhill High Court heard on Friday there was evidence from CCTV cameras, mobile phones, DNA and fingerprints which allegedly linked Mr Abdirahman to the crime.

He was arrested in Dublin city center after using a Revolut bank card linked to his phone, which was allegedly found at the crime scene in Belfast.

Messages downloaded from the phone showed “a turbulent relationship” and ongoing conflict between the couple, the court heard.

When he was first charged, Mr Abdirahman told gardaí (Irish Police) that he was “not guilty”.

Mr Abdirahman, who arrived in Ireland in 2019, has no criminal record in either jurisdiction.

He also previously lived in Kenya.

Detective Sergeant James King told the court that gardaí had concerns that Mr Abdirahman would leave the jurisdiction if he was granted bail.

Mr King also pointed out that Ms Ward's phone had not yet been recovered and there were concerns that it had been destroyed or would be destroyed if Mr Abdirahman was released on bail.

Judge Caroline Biggs said the evidence against the defendant was “extremely strong”.

She opposed bail, noting: “On the balance of probabilities (the defendant) may attempt to evade justice.”

“In these circumstances I refuse bail.”