Warm tributes have been paid to the woman found dead at her West Waterford home yesterday (Monday).

Noreen Daly (81) was found at a residential property in Ardsallagh shortly after 2pm on Monday.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and the property was preserved for forensic examination.

In a statement, Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council said: “The community of Ardsallagh and the wider area was stunned yesterday to hear the news of the death of Noreen Daly.

Noreen and her late husband , Michael, had a home in Ardsallagh overlooking the Blackwater for the last 25 years. After Michael’s death in 2023 following a long illness, Noreen spent more time in Ardsallagh and earlier this year sold her house in Dublin to live here permanently.

She was very much involved in the local community and got involved in traditional music, Blackwater Opera Festival, Ardmore Choir, Tai Chi, Clashmore exercise classes to name just a few. Noreen was 81 but she would not like to be described as elderly.”

The statement added: “She saw this move as the next stage of her life where she was going to carry on exploring and learning. Every day involved meeting her friends and doing new things. She was a kind, caring and generous person who loved her and Mike’s extended family. All who knew her will feel this loss for a very long time.”

Fine Gael Cllr Pat Nugent, who is originally from the Ardsallagh area and knew Noreen Daly, described her as a “humble woman” who was active in the locality.

He said she “enjoyed singing”, “loved opera” and was a “familiar” figure at community events and arts activities in the area.

A Senior Investigating Officer is leading the investigation into her death and an incident room has been established at Dungarvan Garda Station.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place, while Garda inquiries are continuing.

A man, aged in his 30s, was arrested today as part of the investigation and is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in the South Eastern Region.

Investigations are ongoing.