Autopsy results to determine course of Carrigaline assault investigation

A 39-year-old man, who was known to Stella Nnamdi, has been arrested and is being questioned by gardaí.

Garda forensic experts arrive at the home where a woman passed away following following an incident at the house in Garrydhu Drive, Carrigaline. Picture: David Creedon

An autopsy this afternoon will be pivotal in the investigation into the death of an 82-year-old woman who died two days after an alleged assault at her home in Carrigaline.

Stella Nnamdi, a grandmother from a well-respected family who had fled from violence in Nigeria to Ireland many years ago, died in Cork University Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

A 39-year-old man, who was known to Ms Nnamdi, has been arrested and is being questioned by gardaí.

Ms Nnamdi had been living in a home at Garrydhu Drive, off Kilmoney Road in Carrigaline, Co Cork, with her daughter.

An altercation allegedly broke out in the home between the man in his 30s and Ms Nnamdi’s daughter initially, before the man then allegedly became involved in an altercation with Ms Nnamdi.

An investigation will determine whether Ms Nnamdi suffered any head injuries during this altercation, which may have resulted in her subsequent death.

There were only three people in the house during the altercation.

Gardaí were called to the Carrigaline home on Sunday following the altercation, but there were no suspicions that either of the women had suffered any serious injuries at that time.

However, the man in his 30s was referred to hospital by a doctor that night.

Ms Nnamdi later became unwell. She was brought to CUH by ambulance on Tuesday morning but died that afternoon.

It is suspected that she suffered a brain bleed. An autopsy may establish if a brain bleed could have been linked to the altercation in the home on Sunday.

The autopsy results are expected this evening.

The man in his 30s is being questioned by Gardaí.

“Gardaí in Cork are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in her 80s following an incident at a residential property in Carrigaline, Co. Cork on Sunday, 23rd February 2025,” a garda statement said.

“While the woman did not initially require medical assistance, she subsequently became unwell. She was transported to Cork University Hospital on Tuesday, 25th February, where she was later pronounced deceased.

“A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with the investigation and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the Southern Region.” The scene at the residence in Carrigaline was preserved for technical and forensic examination by local scenes of crime officers.

A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been assigned to provide support and information to the deceased’s family.

Garda investigations are ongoing.