Courts / Dublin / Report
Husband to stand trial for murder of wife and two children
Summary
A 37-year-old man, Sameer Syed of Grosvenor Lodge, Rathmines, Dublin 6, accused of murdering his wife Seema Banu (37), his daughter Asfira Riza (11), and son Faizan Syed (6) at Llewellyn Court, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 on October 28 last year, will stand trial at the Central Criminal Court in June next year. The accused was charged with three counts of murder at Dun Laoghaire District Court on November 30 last year. At that time, arresting officer Detective Sergeant John White informed Judge Ann Watkin that reporting restrictions under Section 252 of the Children Act applied because two of the deceased were juveniles. The matter was adjourned and is now at the appeal stage. Mr Syed appeared via video-link for today's hearing and was remanded in custody until the trial date. The trial is expected to last five weeks, and the case was sent forward to the Central Criminal Court on April 28 after the accused was served with the book of evidence. Free legal aid was granted, and there was no State objection. The Children (Amendment) Act 2021 has been signed into law, which removes the restriction on naming deceased children except in certain exceptional circumstances.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Husband to stand trial for murder of wife and two children. Charges or matters: murdering his wife Seema Banu (37), his daughter Asfira Riza (11) and son Faizan Syed (6) at Llewellyn Court, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 on October 28 last year; the murder of his wife and two children; three counts of murder at Dun Laoghaire District Court on November 30 last, arresting officer Detective Sergeant John White told Judge Ann Watkin that reporting restrictions under Section 252 of the Children Act applied because two of the deceased were juveniles. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- October 28 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 30 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 15, 2022 Adjournment
- April 28 Adjournment
- 2021-05-17 Publication
Why: When Mr Syed was charged with three counts of murder at Dun Laoghaire District Court on November 30 last, arresting officer Detective Sergeant John White told Judge Ann Watkin that reporting restrictions under Section 252 of the Children Act applied because two of the deceased were juveniles. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering his wife Seema Banu (37), his daughter Asfira Riza (11) and son Faizan Syed (6) at Llewellyn Court, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 on October 28 last year; the murder of his wife and two children; three counts of murder at Dun Laoghaire District Court on November 30 last, arresting officer Detective Sergeant John White told Judge Ann Watkin that reporting restrictions under Section 252 of the Children Act applied because two of the deceased were juveniles (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Mr Syed appeared via video-link for today's hearing and he was remanded in custody until that date.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Dun Laoghaire District Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request