Brother freed in hunt for woman's killer

The brother of a woman who died after receiving head injuries from a fire poker was released without charge from police custody today.

Brenda Ahearne was found in a house in the south of Waterford City with the rod embedded in her skull in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Her 31-year-old brother was arrested at the scene and questioned by detectives in relation to the incident.

Gardaí said the man has now been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Officers were called to the two-storey house at Richardsons Meadows, Kilcohan, where they discovered Ms Ahearne with serious head injuries.

It is believed the 30-year-old victim lived elsewhere in the city and was visiting the area for the evening when the incident occurred.

Emergency services were called to the scene and she was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital, but died a short time later.

Residents of the quiet residential area said they were shocked and saddened by the death.