Man charged with murder of mother in Doochary sent for trial

A man charged with murdering his mother in Donegal has been sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

Guenter Lohse has been charged with murdering Ruth Lohse at Coolvoy, Doochary, on April 12, 2022.

A book of evidence was served on Lohse, who appeared for a brief hearing at Letterkenny District Court on Monday.

Sergeant Gerard Dalton told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented for Lohse to be sent forward to the present sitting of the Central Criminal Court.

Lohse has been in custody at Castlerea Prison since his arrest and was brought to court by prison officers.

Lohse, who is represented by solicitor Mr Tom MacSharry, is charged with murder.

The 61-year-old German national is also charged that he did caused criminal damage to the value of €25,000 to a house belonging to Martin Caulfield.

Garda Lynda Halligan told the court that she served a book of evidence on the accused at 11.10am on Monday at Letterkenny courthouse.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham returned Lohse for trial to the Central Criminal Court. Judge Cunningham administered the alibi warning and made a section 56 order relating to videotapes of interviews.

The court communicated with Lohse via a German interpretor who was present.

Legal aid was granted to Mr MacSharry with one senior and one junior counsel assigned. Legal aid was extended to cover the translation of the book of evidence into German.

After a query from the media, Mr MacSharry said a publication order was not a necessity in the case.

Ms Lohse, who was aged in her 80s, died in a house fire. Lohse was arrested a short time later.

Earlier this year, the court heard that Lohse was deemed fit to stand trial following an assessment by a clinical psychologist.