Ruslanas Kovalkovas, 51, of Ranfurly Road in Portadown, appeared at Lisburn Magistrates' Court on March 30 charged with the murder of 49-year-old Rolandas Kvederis. The incident occurred at a first-floor flat in the Ranfurly Road area on March 26.

Police received a 999 call shortly after 11pm reporting an altercation. A third man in the flat contacted his daughter to alert authorities, stating two men had fought and one was dead. Officers and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service personnel attended and found Mr Kvederis dead on the landing at the top of the stairs in a pool of blood.

A post-mortem confirmed Mr Kvederis died from seven stab wounds to the neck and lower back. Three neck wounds included one to the jugular vein, one damaging the larynx, and one to the back. A knife tip was embedded in a neck bone. Police recovered a knife with apparent blood by the sink and another on the kitchen table.

Kovalkovas was arrested at 11.21pm on suspicion of murder. He told officers he acted in self-defence after Mr Kvederis attacked him with knives. In interview, Kovalkovas said Mr Kvederis picked up a small knife and poked him, then he grabbed it and stabbed three times. They then struggled over a larger knife, leading to more stabs.

The flat was registered to Mr Kvederis, who had not lived there for nearly a year due to bail conditions at another address. Kovalkovas had sub-let it during that time. Mr Kvederis recently returned and asked Kovalkovas to leave over issues including missing food and rent.

District Judge Rosie Watters refused bail due to no suitable address, risk of further offences, and flight concerns. Kovalkovas has prior violent convictions in France and Lithuania. The case adjourns to Craigavon Magistrates' Court on April 24 via videolink.

Two men in their 50s were arrested on suspicion of murder. One, identified as Kovalkovas, faces charges reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. The third man and the second arrestee were released unconditionally. PSNI Major Investigation Team Detective Chief Inspector Bradley seeks CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage from Ranfurly Road. Contact 101 quoting 1809 26/03/26 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.