Man charged with murder of partner in Athboy house is further remanded

A 34-year-old Romanian man charged with murdering his partner has been further remanded when he appeared at Trim District Court today (Tuesday).

Daniel Blanaru, with an address in Rathmore, Athboy had appeared at the same court last Saturday charged with alleged murder of his partner, Larisa Serban, aged 26, the mother of three children at Rathmore last Friday.

When he appeared in court today by video link from prison he was told that instructions about his case were awaited from the State.

Judge Alan Mitchell remanded the accused in custody to appear at the same court by video link on 13th September next.

There was widespread shock in the closeknit community of Rathmore on Friday morning as news broke of Ms Serban's death. The first inkling that something had happened at the bungalow on the Navan-Athboy Road was the garda cordon and garda vehicles parked outside early on Friday.

As the morning went on, news broke of the death of Ms Serban, from Romania, who had moved into the area about a year ago. She was a mother of three young children.

Meanwhile, a vigil for Larisa Serban is planned for the Fair Green in Athboy on Saturday.

Father Padraic McMahon will lead participant in a prayer as per Larisa’s family’s wishes.

“If you can stop by for a few moments to pay respects to Larisa, her children and her family I know it will be very much appreciated,” said organiser, Kayleigh Payne

“If anyone would like to leave something at the gathering spot, I was thinking perhaps a peony (real or artificial) as I believe they are the national flower of Romania.”

The vigil will take place at 1pm Saturday.