Violent deaths of eight women more than total for 1995

EIGHT women have been murdered or suffered violent deaths so far this year, more than the total for 1995 and equal to the number murdered in 1994. Six of the women killed this year have died in their homes.

Ms Angela Collins was strangled in Ballingarry, Co Limerick, on Tuesday. Ms Patricia Bainbridge died after being shot in her home in Coolrain, Co Laois, on Monday. Ms Martina Halligan died after being stabbed in Darndale, Dublin, at the weekend.

Ms Noeleen Cawley was stabbed to death in her home in Collery Drive, Sligo, on April 2nd. Her husband, Michael, later killed himself. Ms Anne Marie Duffin was killed in Curragraigue, Blennerville, Tralee, Co Kerry, on April 15th, and Ms Sandra Tobin was killed in her home in Waterford city, on March 15th.

Others who died were Alison White (13), from Bundoran, Co Donegal, who was killed on April 14th, and Ms Joyce Quinn, who was stabbed to death on January 23rd, soon after she left her shop in Milltown, Co Kildare.

A review of Irish Times files shows there were two cases in 1995 of women suffering violent deaths in their homes. Ms Mary Core died in her flat in Ballyfermot, Dublin, and Ms Mary Doogue, Athy, Co Kildare, was stabbed to death in her home. Five women suffered violent deaths in 1995, according to the files.

The 1994 Garda report states that eight women were murdered that year and 17 men. There were a further seven cases of manslaughter, but no gender breakdown is given.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, said on April 25th there had been 25 violent deaths in 1994 and 41 in 1995. Up to April 25th this year, 14 people had been killed, and tour people have been killed since.