Woman found stabbed and beaten in induced coma

The Limerick woman who was subjected to brutal sustained assault during which she was stabbed, kicked and beaten was still in an induced coma at University Hospital Limerick last night.

Simone Lee, aged 37, was found semi-naked in her apartment at Hassett’s Villas, Thomondgate, early on Sunday morning after local people contacted emergency services and gardaí.

A man in his mid-20s was arrested and held at Henry Street Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

He was released without charge yesterday and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ms Lee received at least one stab wound to the back. She also suffered extensive burn wounds to the head and upper body and these may have been caused by boiling water, a domestic washing up liquid, or acid.

Gardaí from the forensic section in Dublin carried out an examination of the scene yesterday.

However, according to a source, the scene was in such a state that the forensic detectives would have to return there today to continue their investigation and to gather material.

According to a senior garda source: “This will give us a clearer idea of what was used in the attack. The apartment was cordoned off after the victim was removed by ambulance and a man arrested.

“We are going through CCTV from the general area to try and find out what the movements of the victim were in the hours before she was assaulted.

“This was a very serious assault and the victim received multiple injuries.”

Gardaí had dismissed reports that she had been stabbed up to 30 times.

When ambulance emergency technicians got to the scene, they found the woman in a semi-conscious state. She was semi naked and showing signs of hypothermia.

A window in the apartment was smashed and a kitchen appliance was found on the street.