A man has been arrested in Dublin in connection with the murder of young mother Mary Ward who was found dead at her Belfast home last Tuesday.
The man, who is of North African origin as reported by the Irish Mirror, was apprehended by Gardaí in Dublin on Wednesday and is currently being interrogated by Garda detectives.
He is being held at a Garda station in Dublin.
The 26-year-old, who was known to the deceased woman and has legal status in the north, is suspected to have crossed the border into the Republic in an attempt to flee.
Although the murder took place in Northern Ireland Gardaí have launched their own investigation saying, “An Garda Siochana continues to work closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this investigation,”.
The body of the 22-year-old woman was discovered on Tuesday, although it is suspected that it may have been lying at her home for up to a week prior to that.
The young mother died from multiple wounds to her neck.
On learning of the arrest during a press briefing, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable David Beck said, “I have just had confirmed a few moments ago, that the identified suspect has been arrested in Dublin,” Assistant Chief Constable David Beck told a press conference at PSNI headquarters in Belfast.”
“There’s been significant co-operation with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána which has led to the position where I can confirm he has now been arrested.”
As Gript previously reported, Ward is the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in just six weeks, according to police.
Detective Chief Inspector Foreman, who leads the Major Investigation Team investigating the murder of Ms Ward said: “Our thoughts at this time are first and foremost with Mary’s loved ones, who have been devastated and are struggling to come to terms with this tragic loss.
“Specialist trained Family Liaison Officers continue to work with the family supporting them through this difficult period.
“Whilst our investigation is at an early stage and we are working to establish the exact circumstances, we believe that Mary was last seen alive on Wednesday 25th September.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or been in contact with Mary on or around that date.
“I am asking anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant a detail may seem, to please contact us by calling 101. You can also submit information online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ “he said.
“Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, with total anonymity on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org ”
Head of Public Protection Branch Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher, said: “Mary Ward is the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in just six weeks.
“This is absolutely appalling. Four families have been shattered forever by meaningless violence.
“As a Police Service we recently revised our Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Action Plan and adopted the new national framework to align our response to this violence with that of terrorism and serious and organised crime. The level of violence and loss in Northern Ireland demands nothing less.
“We are absolutely determined that we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators.”
Following a review of the PSNI’s previous engagement with Mary, the case has been referred to the Office of the Police Ombudsman.
The PSNI said that whilst at this time there is no suggestion of individual criminality or misconduct, the force is nonetheless concerned about its organisational response.