Man accused of murdering his mother in Athlone is sent forward for trial

A 32-year-old man charged with the murder of his mother, whose body was discovered in a bogland in South Roscommon in December, has been served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

Nebojsa Pap, with an address at Beechville, Athlone, appeared at the town's district court yesterday (Wednesday) charged with the murder of his mother, Mirjana Pap, of the same address, on December 28, 2024.

Garda Olivia Connolly gave evidence of service of the book of evidence that afternoon. Sergeant Paul McNally, for the State, indicated that Mr Pap would be sent forward for trial to the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

The book of evidence relates to one charge of murder and one charge of producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, namely an axe, in the course of the attack, which is alleged to have taken place at the victim's Athlone home.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted that Mr Pap had not made an application for bail and was going forward for trial in custody. She gave an alibi warning, and told him he was obliged to inform the State of any alibi evidence on which he intended to rely within 14 days.

Solicitor for the accused, Ciara Macklin, applied for legal aid, which Judge Owens granted to include one senior and one junior counsel to represent Mr Pap at trial.

Ms Pap, a 58-year-old widow and mother of three, was a Croatian native and a long-term resident of Athlone. Her body was discovered on a bogland at Curraghaleen, Roscommon, on December 30 after she had been reported missing two days earlier.

Her son, Mr Pap, was arrested on January 3 and charged with the murder of Ms Pap in her Beechville, Athlone home on December 28, contrary to common law.