Postmortem on body of Laois woman underway

A postmortem examination is under way this evening on the body of a woman which was recovered
from a canal in Co Laois yesterday.

The woman, who was in her 30s, was taken from the Grand Canal between Vicarstown and Athy at about 7pm.

A man in his 40s was also taken from the canal, and was brought to the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, where his condition is stable. 

The couple’s four young children, aged between six and 13, were found in the car less close to the canal after gardaí were called. 

Gardaí said they were investigating all circumstances surrounding the death.

It is understood detectives will speak to the man and his four children today in an attempt to establish how the couple ended up in the canal.

Gardaí investigating the incident would like anyone who was in the area yesterday evening to contact them at Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 8674100.

They said they would also like to speak to the driver of a dark coloured SUV type vehicle, who stopped and gave assistance at the scene of the incident, to contact them