A 28-year-old man “shook his head and made no reply” when charged with murdering his father, Stefan Nivelles Posschier, who was found dead at his Co. Westmeath home last month.
Ross O'Rourke, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody after appearing before Judge Bernadette Owens at Mullingar District Court this (Thur) morning.
Belgium-born fortune teller Stefan Nivelles Posschier, 65, was discovered lifeless on October 25 at his home in Rattin, a rural townland between Kinnegad and Milltownpass. A postmortem examination was conducted while detectives at Mullingar Garda station commenced a murder investigation.
They brought Mr O'Rourke to appear before Judge Owens at Mullingar District Court. Giving evidence, Detective Sergeant David Donnelly said Mr O'Rourke was arrested, charged and cautioned at 10.10 am. He is accused of the murder of Stefan Nivelles Posschier at his home between October 24 – 25, contrary to common law. Detective Sergeant Donnelly told the court that "in reply to the charge after caution, he made no reply and shook his head". Mr O'Rourke was then handed a copy of the charge sheet.
Throughout the brief hearing, the defendant, dressed in a black top, navy tracksuit bottoms and brown shoes, stood facing forward with his hands behind his back. His solicitor Kate McGhee (Tracy Horan & Co Solicitors), successfully asked for legal aid to be granted because her client was not working. Judge Owens also acceded to her request to extend legal aid "to cover an independent psychiatric report".
Mr O'Rourke did not address the court but whispered to his solicitor when she brought up the request concerning the psychiatric report. He was remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear again at Mullingar District Court via video link on November 17.
The District Court does not have the jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases, which require an application in the High Court.
Clairvoyant Stefan had been in Ireland for over 20 years. He had lived in south Dublin before settling in Co. Westmeath. Mr Posschier was well-known for his work as a psychic, clairvoyant and shamanic healer. Working under the stage name Stefan De Guylianhe, he gave tarot card readings in towns across the country. He was laid to rest following a funeral service at the weekend.
