A mother has appeared in court charged with the murder of her eight-week-old baby son and the attempted murder of her toddler daughter.
Raluca Ioana Tagani is accused of murdering Liam O’Keefe in a house in the Ardoyne of area of north Belfast on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old, who is originally from Romania, is also accused of the attempted murder of his two-year-old sister who was critically injured in the attack.
She is now in a stable condition in hospital.
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The accused, whose address was not provided to the court, appeared via video link from a custody cell for the brief hearing before deputy District Judge McStay.
No application for bail was made and the judge remanded Tagani in custody to appear before the court again on Friday, August 27.
Baby Liam was killed and his sister, two, injured in an attack in Northern Ireland on Tuesday ( Image: facebook)
Police Service Northern Ireland Detective Chief Inspector Chris Millar said earlier: “The other young child injured during this incident remains in hospital where her condition is described as stable.
“I would like to thank the local community for their unwavering support and patience while we continue our investigation into the tragic events of Tuesday evening and I continue to ask that anyone who has any information to contact us.”
Baby Liam and the toddler’s father, Liam O’Keefe Snr, has paid tribute to his son and thanked the local community as they gathered to pay tribute.
Baby Liam died in the attack ( Image: facebook)
Addressing the large group of neighbours, Mr O’Keefe expressed his appreciation for the love and support he has received over the last few days.
He said: “To all the neighbours and the full community for all their help and support, I really appreciate it all.
“Holding this vigil means the world to me. I am truly heartbroken but it gives me the strength to know you are all giving so much love and support.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Mr O’Keefe’s daughter from a previous relationship told of the moment her father found out about baby Liam’s death.
Liam O’Keefe senior paid tribute to his son ( Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
She said: “When he found out that Liam had died he dropped the phone and just screamed.
“I held him as he was crying. The police and ambulance came to check how he was. My dad’s a big man and he never displays his feelings. To see him like that was just horrific.
“I rang the police straight away. He flew back to Northern Ireland as soon as he could.
“He is in bits. He’s had to go and see the baby’s body today. His kids are his world. He is completely devastated.”
He thanked neighbours for their support ( Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
Ms O’Keefe said of her half-sister who is recovering in hospital: “She was always so bubbly and happy. I can’t imagine anyone harming her.
“She was just a happy little girl, she loved playing peek-a-boo. The first moment she in hospital saw my dad she started crying and was so happy to see him.
Speaking about baby Liam she added: “I only met him through FaceTime but he was a beautiful baby.
“We were planning to go over and see him. There was supposed to be a Christening. Now it will be a funeral.
“We have just got so many questions. I just can’t understand it.”
Source: Mirror
