Tributes for Romanian woman (30) found dead in Co Meath apartment

A 30-year-old woman who was found dead in a duplex apartment in Ratoath, Co Meath on Saturday evening has been named locally as Romanian national Ioana Mihaela.

Gardaí said a man in his 30s was arrested at the scene. He was brought to Ashbourne Garda station where he is currently in custody under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Gardaí and emergency services were called to the home at River Walk Court shortly after 6pm on Saturday.

The woman’s body was removed from the scene and brought to the morgue in Whitehall where a post-mortem was due to be carried on Sunday. The Garda Technical Bureau is examining the scene, which is sealed off.

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She is understood to have lived in the Dublin area for a number of years and recently moved into the apartment in Co Meath.

A number of her friends, family members and locals reacted with shock and anger in online posts when news of her death emerged over the weekend.

One wrote: “Smooth road to heaven, my beautiful sister, you left behind a huge pain!”

Another commented: “I have no words angel ... I can’t bring you back and I’m sorry ... how happy you were, my dear little one,” said one friend.

An incident room has been set up at Ashbourne Garda station and a Senior Investigation Officer has been appointed to the case. A Garda spokesman said enquiries were ongoing.

Local Independent Cllr Nick Killian said: “Ratoath is in shock today at such a tragedy in the village and I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased.”

Cllr Gillian Toole commented: “May Ioana Mihaela rest in peace. A tragic end to what was to be a new beginning in Ratoath. May this woman rest in peace.”

Confirming that the apartment had been preserved for forensic and technical examination, a Garda spokeswoman said: “The services of the State Pathologist and Garda Technical Bureau have been requested by investigating gardaí.

“An incident room has been established at Ashbourne station and an SIO (senior investigating officer) has been appointed to the case. No further information is available at this time. Inquires are ongoing and further updates will follow.”

Gardaí at Ashbourne Garda station (01 801 0600) have appealed for anyone with information in relation to the incident to contact them.