Phoenix Park stabbing victim may have been prostitute

GARDAÍ are investigating whether the mystery woman found stabbed to death in Phoenix Park last week may have worked as a prostitute.

Garda sources stressed this was just one line of inquiry and they were keeping an open mind in their investigation.

Despite getting a good response from the public following appeals for information, gardaí are not any closer in identifying the woman, despite the decision last Thursday to release photographs of her.

Detectives said they cannot make serious progress in their inquiries unless they can identify her soon.

The investigation team is expected to launch another appeal on Wednesday, a full week on from the discovery of her body.

She was found in a wooded area near sports pitches at the park by passers-by. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and neck. No weapon has been found.

Garda sources said the investigation team was “moving away” from the theory she may be foreign.

“A lot of calls are coming in. A lot of people are saying they might have seen her,” said a source. “But we don’t have anything to tell us who she is: ‘I know her, her name is’.”

He said that one “good witness” had come forward saying he had seen her before and that she was Irish.

A Garda source said the woman may have been an “old school” prostitute working on the streets, not on mobile phone or the internet. Agencies and community groups that work with prostitutes are being contacted.

One agency told the Irish Examiner yesterday there had been “no word from the street” about who she might be. A source said it was a “difficult-to-reach market” and many prostitutes worked alone and were not in contact with agencies or other prostitutes. Gardaí have expressed doubt over reports that the woman was homeless and sleeping rough in an area frequented by homeless people.

Gardaí issued a very detailed description of her. She was in her late 30s or early 40s and was only 4ft 10in in height. She was found fully clothed. A pair of thick woolly socks were found nearby and her toes had gold nail varnish.

Anyone with information can contact Cabra Garda Station 01-6667400, the Garda Confidential Line 1-800-666-111 or any Garda Station.