The father of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib has appeared in court charged with her murder and the attempted murder of her mother in Co. Wexford.

Mohammad Shaker Al Tamimi, of New Ross, appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court yesterday evening.

The 34-year-old has been charged with the murder of Malika and the attempted murder of her mother, Aisha Al Katib.

The schoolgirl died after she suffered stab wounds in the early hours of Monday morning when attempting to intervene in a row.

Detective Garda Donal Doyle of New Ross Garda Station gave evidence of his arrest and caution to the court.

He said that the accused was arrested shortly after 12.30pm at University Hospital Waterford on Tuesday.

He was subsequently charged with the offences shortly after 5pm yesterday at Wexford Garda Station.

The court was told that he made no reply to the charges.

The accused, who was driven into Gorey District Court in a police van, was remanded into custody to appear before Wexford Court on Monday, December 9 via videolink.

Judge Staunton directed that the accused receive a psychological evaluation when he arrives into custody.

The schoolgirl was at home in New Ross with her mother when the incident happened on Sunday night.