The elderly woman murdered at her home in north Dublin on Wednesday was a leading campaigner for more State assistance to provide security for people living alone and in fear of assault and robbery.
Ms Marie Dillon, who would have been 73 next week, was found in the garage at the side of her home on Beneavin Road in Glasnevin. It is understood the garage and rooms in her house were in disarray and it seems her assailant had intended to rob her home.
The results yesterday of a preliminary post-mortem showed she died from extensive head injuries inflicted by a heavy weapon. Further tests are being carried out to see if she was sexually assaulted.
Ms Dillon, who lived alone since her husband died nearly 30 years ago, was the secretary of the National Association of Widows. She had helped prepare a number of Budget submissions to Government on the need to provide funding for the elderly living alone.
She had repeated problems with break-ins and vandalism at her home. She also had problems with rowdy youths who gathered in a laneway at the side of the house.
Ms Dillon was well known in the association and was described last night as a person of "lovely disposition who had cared for a great many people, widows - and young widows who have been struggling and are still struggling to live on welfare".
Mrs Sheila Conroy, public relations officer of the association, added: "Marie's murder highlights the fact that women are open to all sorts of violence. Her death raises the question of whether there is sufficient money for gardai to provide protection in the community."
Mrs Conroy said the association had made repeated appeals to Government in Budget submissions "but our calls have not been answered. Too many women have been murdered. It is the worst crime in this State and the question is how can it be stopped.
"We are enraged that somebody who has given so much to the community could be cut down like that."
Gardai investigating the case were yesterday becoming increasingly anxious to trace the woman's killer, fearing that the killer could carry out further attacks on vulnerable people.
Investigating officers appealed for information from anyone who was in the Beneavin Road area on the morning or early afternoon of Wednesday of this week.
Ms Dillon was last seen near her home at around 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Her body was discovered at about 10 p.m. that night when a friend called to check on her.
The National Association of Widows has a membership of around 10,000 and Ms Dillon, who originally came from west Cork, had set up two groups in the Finglas area. She had no children and is survived by a sister living in Cork.
She was described as a helpful and dedicated member of the association, well known for providing entertainment at social functions.