Ruslanas Kovalkovas, 51, appeared in Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with the murder of Rolandas Kvederis, 49. The incident occurred last Thursday night at a property on Ranfurley Road in Lisburn.

Kvederis sustained seven stab wounds to his neck and lower back. Police found him lying on a hall landing surrounded by blood. The tip of a knife was embedded in a bone in his neck.

Kovalkovas lived at the Ranfurley Road apartment at the time. The property was in Kvederis's name, though he had not lived there for about a year due to bail conditions at another address. Kvederis had sublet the flat to Kovalkovas but recently returned and asked him to leave.

Another man in the flat raised the alarm by asking his daughter to call police due to his limited English. He reported a fight between two men and said one was dead. That man was arrested but later released unconditionally.

In court, Kovalkovas denied the charge through an interpreter and stated he acted in self-defence. He told police Kvederis verbally abused him, ordered him to leave, and attacked him with a knife in the kitchen. Kovalkovas said he grabbed the knife during the altercation.

His lawyer argued bail, stating Kovalkovas believed it was him or Kvederis, and noted Kvederis had a criminal record including violence toward men, women, and animals. A police officer confirmed he believed so.

District Judge Rosemary Watters denied bail due to lack of suitable address, risk of further offences, and flight risk. Kovalkovas, subject to Home Office immigration proceedings and previously resident in France and Lithuania, was remanded in custody. He will appear via videolink at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on April 24.