The woman living in an IPAS centre who died in violent circumstances and was found with “serious neck injuries” in Clifden, Co Galway was the mother of two children who attended primary school in the area.
Gript understands that the incident involved two IPAS centre residents, and that the alleged perpetrator, a male in his 30s, was known to the woman and had been involved in a fight with her yesterday.
A statement on the Scoil Mhuire Clifden website reads: “We are writing to our school community at an incredibly sad and difficult time.
“We have become aware of the sudden and tragic passing of a member of our school family. Our hearts go out to her children, her family, and all those who loved her.
“The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) are onsite with us today supporting our pupils and staff. The wellbeing of our children is our absolute priority.
“We wish to assure our school community that An Garda Síochána have the situation under control.
“The school will reopen as normal on Tuesday, and we look forward to welcoming all of our children back. We will be there to support every child upon their return,” the school xaid.
It is understood that the woman was a resident of emergency accommodation. Locals have told Gript that the centre where the deceased was living is being used to accommodate IPAS residents.
The woman is understood to have been an Iranian, aged 31, who had been staying at a hotel near Conamara being used as an emergency accommodation (IPAS) centre. The male who has been arrested is understood to be of Arab descent.
It is understood that the fight had been broken up by a local yesterday, who had seen the man fighting with the woman. It is confirmed that the victim and the man who has been arrested were known to each other.
An Garda Síochána said it is investigating all the circumstances of the fatal incident after the woman’s body was found today near Galway Road in Clifden.
Gript understands that the victim had been reported missing on Wednesday, one day before her body was found. A source said that the woman’s body was found in a local river.
Gardaí said they attended emergency residential premises, and that the body of the woman was discovered at a nearby location. Gardaí have confirmed that the fatal incident did not take place inside the emergency accommodation premises.
An adult male (aged in his 30s) was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and is currently receiving medical treatment. Both the deceased and the arrested are understood to be foreign nationals.
An Garda Síochána is not looking for any other person in relation to this incident at this time and is following a definite line of enquiry, the force said in a statement.
“The scene has been preserved for an examination by the Garda Technical Bureau,” it added.
“The Offices of the Coroner and the State Pathologist have been notified. The body will be removed in due course, and a post mortem examination will be carried out. The results of the post-mortem examination will assist in determining the course of the ongoing investigation.”