Photo of woman found murdered in Phoenix Park released

Detectives tonight released a photo of a woman found stabbed to death in Phoenix Park in a bid to identify her.

The murder victim, believed to be aged between 30 and 40, was found in a wooded area under a blanket just 100 yards off Military Road on Wednesday.

Gardaí said the woman may be a foreign national.

Investigating officers took the unusual step of issuing a picture of the dead woman and also issued a detailed description in the hope it will persuade people to come forward and identify her.

She was 5ft 3“ in in height, of medium build, and had brown hair cut above her shoulder.

She was found fully clothed, wearing a grey-green fleece top with a red and blue striped rugby-style jersey underneath.

She was also wearing three-quarter length loose-fitting pink leggings and gold nail varnish on her toes.

She had a gold chain with a St Anthony’s medal tied on with string, a silver cross and chain, and gold hoop earrings described as Creole-style.

One Garda source said the woman may have been homeless and sleeping rough but said the area where she was found was not necessarily frequented by homeless people.

It is feared she may have died up to three days before being found.

Two passers-by discovered the woman’s body at around 3.30pm on Wednesday under a tree, near a changing room used by sports clubs in an area of the Dublin park known as the 15 acres, which is popular with runners, joggers and cyclists.