Gardaí believe woman who died in Waterford was stabbed during domestic dispute

LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago

GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING THE death of a woman who was stabbed at a house in Waterford believe she died in a domestic dispute.

Gardaí and emergency services were called to the scene at Grange Heights, Waterford city, yesterday at 6.15pm. The scene is in a housing estate off John’s Hill.

It is understood they found a woman with significant injuries who had lost a large volume of blood. 

A man, also in his 40s, at the scene had also suffered some injuries in a struggle. A third person, a young girl, was also at the scene. 

Gardaí established that the people in the house were all known to each other and were originally from Eastern Europe but had been living in Ireland for a number of years. 

The woman was rushed to hospital, but such was the level of blood loss that she died a short time after arriving. 

The man, who is originally from Czechia, was arrested at the scene and was later treated in hospital for minor injuries before returning to the garda station for questioning. 

He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 – he can be held for a maximum of 24 hours excluding rest periods and for medical treatment.

The scene is preserved for technical examination.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Waterford garda station.

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A family liaison officer has been assigned to support the family of the deceased.

Locals ‘devastated’ after death

A neighbour of the family, Grace Drohan, told The Journal that there was “devastation” as news spread of the death throughout the housing estate yesterday evening.

Drohan said neighbours would rally around to help but said it is “going to have an affect on our community for a long time”.

Drohan added that the woman was well liked in the community and had worked as a cleaner locally.

“She was very family oriented, she’d make a big fuss over the garden every Halloween,” Drohan said. “She was quiet and kept to herself but would always wave at you.”

Local Fine Gael councillor Jim D’Arcy told The Journal that there is “absolute shock” in the community. “Your home is meant to be safe spot and that’s the real shock and horror of the whole thing,” he said when visiting the scene this morning.

Garda appeal

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

Anyone who was in the Grange Heights area between 6pm and 6.30pm this evening 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 Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.

A spokesperson said investigations into the matter are ongoing.

With reporting by Eoghan Dalton in Waterford city

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