Man in court charged with murder of woman in Galway

A man has appeared in court tonight charged with the murder of a woman near Clifden in Galway earlier this week.

Ali Sohrabi, aged 35, was brought before a special sitting of Galway District Court charged with the murder of Masumeh Manojan, whose body was found near an international protection centre in Clifden on Thursday.

Mr Sohrabi, of no fixed abode, was brought to Galway District Court at 9.30pm this evening.

Detective Sergeant Frank Hand of Oranmore Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He said he charged the accused at the Garda Northwestern Region Headquarters in Renmore at 8.12pm this evening with the murder of Masoumeh Jafri Manojan, at dates unknown between the 27 and 28 May 2026, contrary to common law.

The accused replied "no" when the charge was put to him.

Ms Manojan, who was in her 30s and known locally as Ati Jafari, had been attacked and sustained fatal slash and stab wounds.

Her body was discovered near the IPAS accommodation centre on the outskirts of Clifden on Thursday morning.

Chief Sup Gerry Roche, of the Galway Garda Division attended the brief hearing.

There was no application for bail as that is a matter for the High Court.

Judge Fiona Lydon remanded the accused in custody to Castlerea Prison to appear at Galway District Court again by video link on Wednesday next.

His solicitor Cathy McDarby of McDarby Solicitors, asked that Mr Sohrabi "be given all medical and psychiatric help while in there".

Judge Lydon ordered that Mr Sohrabi be given all medical and psychiatric assistance in Castlerea.

The services of a Persian interpreter was provided.