Autopsy due on mother-of-two found dead near Clifden Ipas centre

The scene were a body of a young woman was found outside Clifden, Co. Galway. Picture: Hany Marzouk

An autopsy is due to take place today on the body of a mother of two who was found fatally stabbed near a river in Co Galway.

The body of Masuma Sohrabi, 31, was discovered near an Ipas accommodation centre at Waterloo Bridge, on the outskirts of Clifden, shortly before 9am on Thursday.

A man in his 30s, who was known to Ms Sohrabi, has been arrested in connection with her death.

He was receiving medical treatment following his arrest and is due to be questioned by gardaí.

The results of today's autopsy will help determine the course of the ongoing investigation, Gardaí said.

However, investigators said they are following a definite line of inquiry and are not seeking anyone else in connection with Ms Sohrabi’s death.

Ms Sohrabi was originally from Iran and had sought asylum in Ireland. She had been living at the Waterloo House Ipas accommodation centre since 2024. She had two children, aged seven and nine, who attend Scoil Mhuire primary school in Clifden.

Ms Sohrabi was working locally and was well-liked in the community.

She left Waterloo House on Wednesday evening but did not return. Residents became concerned and a search was launched.

On Thursday morning, a man known to Ms Sohrabi arrived at the Ipas centre with wounds to his neck.

Gardaí were alerted and, it is understood, the man subsequently led officers to the location of Ms Sohrabi’s body near Waterloo Bridge, close to the accommodation centre.

The man was arrested and received medical treatment before being questioned in relation to the investigation.

It is understood that allegations of abuse had previously been made against the man by Ms Sohrabi.

The suspect is also an asylum seeker from the Middle East. It is understood he had previously lived at the same Ipas centre as Ms Sohrabi but had since moved to Co Mayo.

Gardaí are examining mobile phones belonging to both the victim and the suspect to establish whether there had been recent communication between them and whether Ms Sohrabi had been subjected to stalking or harassment.

Investigators are also attempting to contact Ms Sohrabi’s family in Iran.

Candles have been lit and flowers left near the scene where Ms Sohrabi died as members of the local community pay tribute to the young mother.

Scoil Mhuire primary school in Clifden issued a statement to the school community during what it described as an “incredibly sad and difficult time”.

“We have become aware of the sudden and tragic passing of a member of our school family. Our hearts go out to her children, her family, and all those who loved her," it said.

“The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) are onsite with us today supporting our pupils and staff. The wellbeing of our children is our absolute priority.” The school will reopen “as normal on Tuesday,” the statement said.

“We look forward to welcoming all of our children back. We will be there to support every child upon their return,” it said.

“May she rest in peace.”

A vigil for the mother-of-two will be held today in the Square in Clifden at 6pm.

"The community wish to express their heartbreak, and also their solidarity and support for Masuma's family and friends, all are welcome," organisers said.

'Every death is an outrage'

Masuma Sohrabi’s name has now been added to Women’s Aid’s Femicide Watch, which records women who die violently in Ireland.

Sarah Benson, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “We are thinking today of Masuma Sohrabi, and her loved ones, colleagues and community, particularly her two young children. Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent.” 

Since the murder of schoolteacher and traditional musician Ashling Murphy while out running in Tullamore, Co Offaly, in 2022, a further 37 women have died violently and been added to Women’s Aid’s Femicide Watch.

“Violence, abuse, and even at its extremes, death, are still a reality for many women living in Ireland. After the devastating murder of Ashling Murphy in 2022, Ireland said never again. But Ireland has not lived up to that promise,” Ms Benson said.

“Since then, 37 women have died violently in Ireland. That is 37 women with lives, dreams, family, friends and communities.

“Since we started the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch in 1996, 283 women have died violently in Ireland. Every death is an outrage. An absolute tragic loss of life resulting in utter heartache and trauma for those left behind.”

The Women’s Aid Femicide Watch shows that 87% of women whose cases have been resolved were killed by a man known to them, Ms Benson said.

“We also know that in Ireland, one in three women has been subjected to domestic abuse of some kind.

“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case. We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”