Olivia Kelleher
A murder investigation is set to be launched after the body of a 27-year-old mother of two was found in an apartment in Midleton, Co Cork.
The dead woman has been named locally as Daena Walsh who lived at an apartment in John Barry House off the Main Street in the town.
A man who was known to the deceased has been arrested on suspicion of her murder. The 29-year-old man is being detained at Midleton Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
The alarm was raised shortly after 4.15pm on Friday when gardaí were informed that there had been an incident at the property. Ms Walsh was found in the apartment with serious injuries. It is understood she had been stabbed.
Despite medical treatment she was pronounced dead a short time later. A postmortem examination will be carried out at Cork University Hospital by Dr Yvonne McCarthy from the Office of the State Pathologist.
Meanwhile, firefighters also attended at the scene as a section of the property was alight. The fire was brought under control shortly after 5pm on Friday.
Midleton-based Sinn Féin TD Pat Buckley said that death of the woman had shocked locals.
“I only knew [the woman] her to see. I am thinking of her two children. Their lives destroyed. Life is very fickle.
It has affected the town. My phone has been hopping. People can’t understand it. Our hearts go out to the family of this woman and they will be in our thoughts and prayers over the coming days.”
The scene has been preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau. An incident room has been established at Midleton Garda Station, and a senior investigating officer has been appointed. A family liaison officer has also been assigned.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Additionally, they are asking members of the public with camera footage, including dashcam recordings from motorists in the Connolly Street / Main Street areas of Midleton on Friday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Midleton Garda Station at 021-462 1550 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
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