Gardaí in Dublin are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions after a man who was questioned in relation to the murder of a 48-year-old woman in Blackrock was released without charge.
Regina O'Connor's body was discovered at her home at Castlebyrne Park, Newtownpark Avenue, on Saturday afternoon. A postmortem confirmed that she died as a result of a serious assault.
Neighbours and friends yesterday left bouquets and messages at Mrs O'Connor's home, where forensic examinations were continuing.
The murdered woman was a keen gardener, and was known locally for her well-tended garden, where she grew flowers and vegetables.
Mrs O'Connor was originally from Rwanda, where she grew up on a large farm. Both her parents were teachers. While living in Kenya, she met her future husband, Irishman Andrew O'Connor, who worked as a cook in the hotel business in the country.
In 1986, the couple moved to Ireland with her son from a previous relationship. Mr O'Connor died in 1994, and neighbours in Blackrock said that her son had not been living in the house for some time.
Since the onset of kidney failure some years ago, Mrs O'Connor had been on dialysis and was awaiting a kidney transplant. Her illness led her to play an active role in fundraising for the Irish Kidney Association.
Lorraine Costello, who knew her through her involvement with the association, said Mrs O'Connor was well known to its members for her annual plant sale, where she sold her flowers and vegetables for the association's benefit.
"She would have been a very active and enthusiastic supporter of the association and did a lot of fundraising on our behalf."
Ms Costello said the murdered woman frequently made the arduous journey to the remote village in Rwanda where her elderly father lives. On these trips - which she took as frequently as three times a year - she would bring money and clothes to distribute locally.
"She was very highly regarded in her village," said Ms Costello.
Neighbours yesterday recalled her as a practising Catholic with a warm smile and an engaging manner. Her next-door neighbour, Peter Long, told The Irish Times the murdered woman was "a good neighbour" who "would never pass anyone by without saying hello."
"She was a friendly woman, always smiling. She'd have no problem bringing people in, showing them round the garden and telling them about the flowers. In the summer, it looked spectacular. She'd be sitting there on the bench outside, saying hello to people passing by."
Another acquaintance described Mrs O'Connor as "a true Christian" who had "an indomitable spirit".
"She was an amazing woman, so full of faith. Her garden for her was a metaphor for life, where things died and were resurrected."
By late afternoon yesterday, a number of bouquets stood at the gate of Mrs O'Connor's home. Among them, one stood out with the bold lettering of its message. It read: "In Heaven one more Angel. God bless."