A woman in her 50s was found dead over the weekend after an assault in Co Laois.

The incident occurred at a house on Church Street, near Main Street in Portlaoise, at around 12.30pm on Sunday.

A man aged in his 70s was arrested at the scene and is being held at Portlaoise Garda Station.

The scene is currently preserved for technical examination, the State Pathologist has been notified, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.

A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation, and an incident room has been established at Portlaoise Garda Station.

Independent TD Brian Stanley, who has a constituency office on the street where the fatal assault occurred, said the incident has shocked people in the area.

He said: ‘It’s not the type of thing that normally happens here. People are shocked by it. I think people are very sad about what’s happened.’

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage who was travelling in the area on Sunday afternoon to come forward.

Stanley also appealed to locals to help the gardaí with their investigation in any way they can.

Anyone who was in the Church Street area on Sunday, July 5, 2026, between 11am and 1pm and who may have camera footage, including CCTV or dashcam, is asked to provide this footage to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.