murder probe | 

Teen arrested on suspicion of killing woman (40s) in Offaly and sharing attack online

It is understood that most of the woman’s fatal injuries were the result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Today at 14:39

A teenage boy is in garda custody this afternoon after he allegedly killed a woman in an attack which he recorded and shared on social media.

The incident happened at a property in a rural area outside Tullamore, Co Offaly earlier today.

It is understood that the arrested suspect is a male teenager.

It is understood that most of the woman’s fatal injuries were the result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Gardai are investigating if a number of weapons were used in the sustained attack.

These weapons were seized at the scene and are now being forensically examined.

The victim’s fatal injuries have been described as “absolutely devastating” and a source said that the “sheer level of violence” used in the fatal attack was “extreme.”

Gardai have now launched a murder investigation and the boy is being detained at a garda station in the midlands.

The juvenile suspect has had previous interactions with gardai but not for crime related matters.

Sources say the nature of the incident has caused “profound shock” to even experienced investigators.

Gardai have released a statement this evening, saying they are not looking for anyone else in relation to what they have described a “violent incident”.

Gardaí added that they are investigating “all of the circumstances” surrounding the death of the woman, who was known to the boy now in custody.

“At approximately 1pm, gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of a violent incident at a residential property near Tullamore,” gardai said.

“The body of a woman, aged in her 40s, was discovered in the property.

“A male child was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in the Midlands. The boy is known to the woman and investigating Gardaí are not looking for any other persons in connection with this incident.”

They added that the scene is currently preserved pending forensic and technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

The Coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been informed.

A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed and an incident room has been established at Tullamore Garda Station.

A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed in the case.

“An Garda Síochána is aware that images from this incident are circulating on social media and messaging apps and is appealing to any person who receives these images not to share the content further,” gardai added.