A man accused of murdering his partner in their Co Meath home on Saturday said: “I’m so sorry for that. It should not have happened” when charged, a court has heard.

Andrei Dobra (33) appeared in Trim District Court this morning charged with the murder of Ioana Mihaela Pacala (30) at their home in Ratoath over the weekend.

Her body was discovered on Saturday evening inside the flat at the Riverwalk Court apartment complex in the town of Ratoath, where they had recently moved to.

When first responders arrived shortly after 6pm they found Ms Pacala, who was originally from Romania, dead in a bedroom.

Mr Dobra was arrested at the scene and questioned at Ashbourne garda station.

He appeared at Trim District Court this morning where he was charged with the murder of Ms Pacala.