The remains of a woman killed in Co Galway were discovered after the chief suspect turned up wounded at a centre for international protection applicants (IPAS) in Clifden and then led gardaí to the victim’s body.
The victim, named locally as Masuma Sohrabi, from Iran, is understood to have been wounded in the neck by an assailant using a knife or bladed weapon.
The arrested man had also suffered a neck wound, though no third party is suspected for his injuries.
The man, aged in his 30s, was still being treated in hospital late on Thursday night, gardaí said in a statement. Detectives must wait for doctors’ approval before they can formally interview him.
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A postmortem is due to be carried out on Friday morning after the woman’s body was taken to the mortuary in Galway University Hospital late on Thursday night.
The postmortem examination results will assist in determining the course of the ongoing investigation.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the Clifden are, particularly around the Galway Road, who may have noticed any suspicious activity to come forward and assist in their investigation.
Earlier on Thursday, the man arrived at the emergency accommodation for IPAS before 9am where the woman and her two children were staying.
The alarm was raised and when gardaí arrived the wounded man, also a foreign national, took them to the nearby location near Waterloo Bridge where the woman’s remains lay.
He was then arrested and hospitalised.
Gardaí believe the victim left the accommodation in Clifden on Wednesday, possibly to meet the man, whom she knew. The victim’s two children remained at the IPAS centre, being cared for by family friends. A family liaison officer has been appointed.
When the woman failed to return, she was reported missing. A search was under way but abandoned after the subsequent events.
The suspect was arrested under section four of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
In a statement, the Garda said investigators were following a definite line of inquiry and were not looking for anyone else in connection with the woman’s death. They said the fatal attack did not happen in the emergency residential premises.
The scene had been preserved for an examination by gardaí and the woman’s remains were left in situ for much of Thursday before being removed to the Galway hospital.
It is understood she worked at a hotel in the area and her children attend a local primary school. Scoil Mhuire issued a statement on Thursday, describing the situation 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.”
The statement said psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service were available to support pupils and staff.
“The wellbeing of our children is our absolute priority. We wish to assure our school community that An Garda Síochána have the situation under control.”
The school planned to “reopen as normal on Tuesday” when staff “will be there to support every child upon their return”, the statement said.
