UPDATE: Scene of fatal assault in Portlaoise remains blocked off
A woman in her 50s died following the assault on Sunday afternoon
Gardaí continue to cordon off the scene of a fatal assault on a woman in Portlaoise on Sunday, July 5.
A woman in her 50s died following the assault on Church Street in Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to the incident at a domestic residence on Church Street shortly after 12:30pm. The woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A man in his 70s was arrested at the scene and detained at a station in the Garda Eastern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
The section of Church Street from Portlaoise Courthouse past the Dunamaise Arts Centre remains cordoned off by gardaí as of Monday morning, July 6.
Gardaí carried out door to door enquiries on Sunday night, with the Garda Forensics team remaining at the scene until late that night. CCTV footage on the street was also gathered by Gardaí.
The State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.
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A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation. An incident room has been established at Portlaoise Garda station.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
Anyone who was in the Church Street area on Sunday, July 5, between 11am and 1pm and who may have camera footage, including CCTV or dashcam, is asked to provide this footage to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
More updates will be provided soon.