Talks will decide if man is to be charged in relation to violent death

Gardaí and DPP discuss options over violent death of mother-of-five

Annie Heyneman, aged 55, was found dead from suspected stab wounds at her rural home in Kilnavert, outside Ballyconnell, on Saturday night.

Senior officers are expected to hold discussions with the State’s prosecutor on Monday night as to whether or not charges should be brought against a man in relation to the violent death of a woman in Co Cavan.

Annie Heyneman, aged 55, was found dead from suspected stab wounds at her rural home in Kilnavert, outside Ballyconnell, on Saturday night.

Her death is the second violent death of a woman in 2025 and the third in the last fortnight.

Ms Heyneman, a mother of five grown-up children, was discovered, along with her injured husband, after a man walked into a chip shop in Ballyconnell and asked staff to ring for an ambulance and the gardaí.

Ms Heyneman (neé McLoughlin) had lived in Ballyconnell for most of her life but also spent time working in the Netherlands where she met her husband, Henk.

It is understood the couple had been living in Ballyconnell for some decades.

Ms Heyneman was pronounced dead at her home on Saturday night and her body was taken to Cavan General Hospital for a postmortem. Mr Heyneman was brought to the hospital and is described as being to be in a stable condition.

Annie Heyneman's death is the second violent death of a woman in 2025 and the third in the last fortnight.

Ms Heyneman is the third woman to die violently in the last fortnight and the second so far this year.

Gardaí arrested the suspect, aged in his 30s, shortly before 10pm on Saturday and detained him under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

This allows for a maximum detention period of 24 hours, excluding sleep breaks. The detention periods also stops if a suspect has to receive medical or psychiatric attention.

It is understood that the man is not expected to be released or charged on Monday night. He may appear before court on Tuesday morning – if he is in a fit state to attend.

Meanwhile, in a separate investigation, a man in his 40s, is fighting for his life after being allegedly assaulted at a car park in west Dublin on 4 January.

Gardaí said on Monday that they had arrested a man in his 20s in relation to the matter.

It is not clear what led to the incident or if there was anyone else in the car park at the time.

The incident occurred at the car park of a pub on St Cuthbert’s Road in Clondalkin.

The injured man is receiving treatment at Beaumont Hospital and his condition is described as critical.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Clondalkin Garda Station at 01 6667600 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.