Woman questioned by gardai investigating the death of a mother of one in Clondalkin

A woman was last night being questioned by gardaí investigating the death of a mother of one at a house in Dublin.

The body of Bernadette Brigid Cash (20) was discovered in the living room of a house on Warrenstown Walk, Blanchardstown, just after 10.30am yesterday. Ms Cash, who was separated from her husband and was a member of the Travelling community, had what one source described as "obvious head injuries" sustained in a violent attack.

The investigation was upgraded to murder last night when the postmortem concluded she died as a result of head injuries inflicted by a third party.

Gardaí believe she was attacked during a party and died as revellers fled the house. They believe she might have survived if assistance had been called to the house.

Meeting point
Ms Cash had a recent address at Saddlers Way in Blanchardstown. Other family members had previously lived at the house where she was found.

Gardaí believe the property was a meeting point for people with transient lifestyles who had sometimes gone there to drink.

Locals have told gardaí that a number of people had gathered at the house from about 5pm on Wednesday and that a party continued into the early hours of yesterday morning.

Ms Cash was still alive when those she had been drinking with fled. Gardaí are working on the theory she was involved in a fight with another woman in the early hours of yesterday morning and died about six to eight hours before her body was found at 10.40am.

The woman is being detained at Blanchardstown Garda station under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

20-month-old son
Earlier, Garda Supt Dave Taylor said they was keen to trace anyone who was in the house at any time from Wednesday afternoon to yesterday morning when the body was found.

Ms Cash’s 20-month-old son was staying with his grandmother elsewhere in Blanchardstown. The scene was sealed off immediately after the body was found.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a preliminary examination at the scene before the body was removed to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.