Woman killed in Offaly stabbing

GARDAÍ were last night questioning a man in connection with the fatal stabbing of a woman in Co Offaly yesterday evening.

The stabbing is understood to have taken place during a dispute involving a couple. A woman died and a man in his 30s was seriously injured in the incident at a first floor apartment off High Street in Tullamore.

A garda spokesperson said they received a call at around 7pm alerting them to the incident. Last night gardaí preserved the scene near the Tasty Food Takeaway fast food outlet on Tara Street.

The woman was found on the floor of the apartment with stab injuries to her stomach and chest.

There were unconfirmed reports the woman was a Brazilian national. Gardaí said she was pronounced dead at the scene, which was sealed off pending the arrival of the State pathologist. It is understood the man who was with her in the apartment had minor injuries to his neck, hand and stomach.

The man was taken to the Emergency Department in the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore.

A man was arrested at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore and was last night assisting gardaí with their enquiries.