Alexander Pacteau, 21, Charged with Murder and Attempting to Defeat the Ends of Justice.

Courier firm director Alexandar Pacteau has been charged with murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. 

Pacteau, 21, appeared in court in Glasgow this afternoon in connection with the disappearance of Irish student Karen Buckley.

Ms Buckley's remains were found on farmland in the north of the Scottish city on Thursday.

Friends of the trainee nurse initially raised the alarm early on Sunday morning when she failed to return home following a night out.

CCTV showed the young woman talking to Pacteau before walking away with him. When initially questioned by police, he claimed the pair had returned to his flat and that Ms Buckley had left to walk home around 4am.

A four-day search took place before the remains of the Cork student were found. Pacteau appeared before a private hearing at the court this afternoon, where he was charged. He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody following the hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Karen's father John Buckley released a statement on Wednesday evening, which read: “Marian and I, together with our sons Brendan, Kieran, and Damian are absolutely heartbroken.” “Karen was our only daughter, cherished by her family and loved by her friends. She was an outgoing girl who travelled the world, where she met lots of people and thoroughly enjoyed her life. “We will miss her terribly.”