Full-scale garda inquiry after body of woman found in shallow river

A FULL-SCALE garda investigation got underway yesterday into the death of a married mother-of-three, whose body was found in a shallow river, near Tralee, Co Kerry, on Wednesday.

The death of Elizabeth McCarthy, 31, is being treated as suspicious and the results of analysis of samples taken during a post-mortem examination are awaited before a murder probe can be confirmed.

It may be a week before the results are known. The body had some injuries.

The post mortem was conducted at Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

A man out walking his dog came upon the fully clothed body in the River Finglas, at Kearney’s Bridge, about two miles west of Tralee, at 10.45am, on Wednesday.

Ms McCarthy, a member of the settled Traveller community, had attended a cousin’s wedding in Tralee on Monday and was reported missing on Tuesday evening. When last seen, she was wearing a brown, sequinned dress and yellow shoes and was carrying a light-coloured bag.

Superintendent Pat Sullivan, Tralee, has appealed to anyone who was in the Rathass, Ballyard, Ballymullen, Killerisk and Blennerville areas of Tralee between 1am on Tuesday and 10am on Wednesday to contact the gardaí.

They have a particular interest in speaking to anyone who was in the Kearney’s road area, Blennerville.

Ms McCarthy (nee O’Brien), lived in a council housing estate at Cois Coille, Tralee, and is survived by husband Patrick and children, Patrick, eight; Stephen, six, and Shane, two.

One of a family of 11, her parents, Charlie and Mary O’Brien, live in Dingle.

Her family were yesterday being comforted by relatives and friends.

“Elizabeth was a quiet person who was very devoted to her children,” said a heartbroken Mrs O’Brien.