Name suppression for Western Springs murder accused

A man charged with the murder of a 69-year-old man found in the stairwell of an Auckland block of flats has been granted interim name suppression.

The man appeared in Auckland District Court this morning after being charged over the death of Michael David Mulholland.

Mulholland, 69, was found in a stairwell in a block of flats in Western Springs on Tuesday night.

A 29-year-old man was this morning charged with his murder and appeared in court, where he was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody, without plea, until October.

His lawyer Annabel Cresswell said the accused would not seek bail but requested interim name suppression.

Judge Margaret Rogers granted interim name suppression and said it would be reviewed when the man reappeared in the High Court at Auckland next month.

The accused stood in the dock with his head bowed and his eyes to the floor throughout the hearing.

Police were called to the flats on Great North Rd at 11pm after Mulholland's body was found in a stairwell.

The 69-year-old lived in one of the flats.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said Mulholland had suffered a violent attack.

The alleged offender was located in Central Auckland, late yesterday afternoon.

The police investigation is ongoing.