Posted by 
Latest
DEATH PROBE
Teenager arrested on suspicion of killing woman in shock attack shared on social media as cops make ‘do not share’ plea
- Published: 16:10, 29 Sep 2023
- Updated: 21:56, 29 Sep 2023
A TEENAGER is being quizzed on suspicion of the brutal murder of a female relative that was streamed online.
Gardai raced to the scene near Tullamore, Co Offaly today after footage of the horrific incident was posted on social media.
They found the woman dead on a floor inside the house after a distressingly savage attack.
Aged in her 40s, it is believed she had been attacked with two different hammers at around 1pm.
A boy known to the dead woman was arrested at the scene in the Rahan area, 10 km from Tullamore, and brought to a local Garda station.
Detectives, who are understood to have retrieved the murder weapon, were not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.
As the investigation began, Gardai urged social media users not to share videos or images from the horrific incident.
The grisly footage was witnessed by a number of people as it was streamed on a popular social media app.
As the teenager continued to be questioned this evening, Gardai were trying to trace all relatives of the woman.
The family home where the murder took place remains sealed off.
One source close to the investigation told us: “The understanding is that two hammers were used.
“One was a sledgehammer and the other was a smaller hammer.”
The source added: “The scene which greeted the front-line Gardai and emergency services was absolutely horrific.
“The victim just didn’t stand a chance due to the extreme levels of violence used against her.
“The fact that the murder and the aftermath was also shared on social media will also cause great distress to her wider family circle and the local community.
“Both the victim and the suspect are related and this truly is a horrendous incident.”
‘ABSOLUTE SHOCK’
Fine Gael councillor in Tullamore Neil Feighery said the community would “rally around” loved ones in the wake of the tragedy.
He said: “We are, as a community, in absolute shock. We are still coming to terms with the news and we’re waiting to hear from An Garda Siochana but the reports are truly shocking.
“My thoughts and prayers are genuinely with the family impacted by this terrible, terrible, terrible tragedy.
“It’s something that is really hard to comprehend and please God, the families will get the support and grace and blessings that they need at this horrendous time.
“Truly horrendous time for our community and for our town and for our area.
“I just wanted to send my own sympathies and give my sincerest sympathies – and everything that can be done by the Tullamore community will be done in the coming days and weeks.”
MOTIVE UNKNOWN
Investigators are trying to establish a motive for the incident.
Skilled interviewers from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation – who have worked on high profile murder cases – could be drafted in to interview the suspect.
The source added: “This horrific incident is a reminder of the challenges frontl-line Gardai and the emergency services face.
“No matter what type of training anyone has, discovering this type of scene would have a profound affect on anyone.
“All the necessary support will be provided to the emergency services who attended this scene.”
GARDA PLEA
A spokesperson said: “Gardai are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in County Offaly this afternoon, Friday the 29th of September, 2023.
“At approximately 1pm, Gardaí and Emergency Services responded to reports of a violent incident at a residential property near Tullamore. 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.
“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.”
Who Watches the Watchers? 