About €8,000 has been raised for the children of murdered Cavan mum Patricia Kierans to finance their return to Australia.

Patricia Kierans’ son, Shane, had just disembarked from a plane to London, the first stopover on his long journey to Australia, when the crushing news came that his mother had been found dead in the family home in Co Cavan.

Gardaí are to due launch a murder investigation, following the discovery of a 54-year-old woman's body in Co Cavan.

Goffs and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales companies have announced a merger.