Stab suspect also wanted over death of mother
The 28-year-old, identified by police only as Sean H, was held on suspicion of murder after the woman was knifed in a plush district of the city.
The stabbing happened at about 7am on Saturday near an ATM in the Eixample area.
Spanish police said the suspect was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued in June after his mother was found dead at her home.
A spokesman for the Mossos d’Esquadra, the regional Catalan police force, said: “A 28-year-old Irish passport holder has been arrested for the murder of a woman who was stabbed to death in the street in Barcelona.
“She was rushed to hospital by ambulance but died from her injuries a few hours later.
“The suspect was arrested near the scene. We are investigating the circumstances of the killing.
“At the moment we are not sure if he knew the victim previously. We are investigating whether or not they were a couple. We are also investigating the motive for the attack but have ruled out robbery.
“We discovered after his arrest he is wanted for questioning on suspicion of murdering his mother and was the subject of an arrest and extradition order.”
The identity of the woman stabbed to death has not been revealed. She is thought to have been in her 30s.
The Irishman was due to appear in court last night to be questioned by an investigating magistrate.
He has not been charged with any offence.
