Death of Clare woman ‘treated with same seriousness as murder’

GARDAÍ have confirmed they are treating the investigation into the death of a Co Clare woman with the same seriousness as a murder probe even though they cannot yet confirm what kind of investigation they are pursuing.

While gardaí have not yet mounted a full murder inquiry, they have confirmed that Deirdre McCarthy died a violent death and say that they expect results in the next few days but that many of the answers still lie in the local community.

Confirmation of a formal murder investigation is expected in days and at least one arrest is imminent.

The body of the 43-year-old single woman was found washed up at Fanore beach in Co Clare on Thursday.

Ms McCarthy was last seen alive on Sunday night and the alarm was raised on Monday afternoon.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar carried out his postmortem examination at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick yesterday.

At a press briefing at Ennis Garda Station, Superintendent John Gilligan sympathised with the McCarthy family on their loss.

Supt Gilligan said the results of the postmortem could not be released until Dr Jabbar had made his conclusions: “We are satisfied that she died as a result of violence and while we are not specifically naming the type of investigation, we are treating the investigation at this point in time, with the same seriousness as a murder investigation.

“We think that whatever happened to Deirdre, the answer lies in the local community, a community which is now shook by her death. We want people to think about what happened; to think about what they may have seen or heard, anything unusual or suspicious, the sighting of a car or person. Something small often leads to the development of a further lead in the investigation so we are asking people to come forward.”

Gardaí have confirmed that Deirdre returned home to Turlough House on Sunday at around 11.30pm and that she had been given a lift home by friends.

The superintendent said: “11.30pm to 7.00am is the timeframe we are talking about. We believe that there was activity in the area. A car, or more than one car, would have passed up and down.

“A major part of the investigation is to establish a motive for what happened.”

Gardaí have confirmed that two vehicles have been technically examined but no arrests have yet been made.

Sources say Gardaí have spoken to one particular “person of interest” several times and that this local man is their main suspect.

Deirdre’s is survived by her mother Helen, brother Tom and sisters Helen, Christina, Bernie and Ann.

An incident room has been set up at Ennistymon Garda Station and investigators there can be contacted at 065-7072180.