GARDAI have indicated that a woman killed in Co Limerick yesterday is believed to have died, after a domestic dispute. Ms Angela Collins (49), of Ballingarry, Co Limerick, is the third woman to have been killed in four days. In each case, gardai have a firm idea about the circumstances.
Gardai were last night questioning a man who arrived at Newcastle West Garda station at lunchtime, yesterday, and informed gardai that Ms Collins was dead and gave an address where she could be found.
Gardai went to a house at Pound Street, Ballingarry, where Ms Collins's body was found in a downstairs room. It is believed she had been strangled.
Ms Collins was from Ennis, Co Clare. It is understood she may have been visiting in Ballingarry. According to local people, she had been married for only a short time and had no children.
The man who appeared at Newcastlewest Station and told gardai about the killing was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. Gardai were last night preparing a report for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In the two other killings of women over the weekend, gardai are also working on files for the DPP after, questioning two men.
Gardai in Portlaoise arrested a 28 year old man at the home of Ms Patty Bainbridge, who was killed at her home in Mountrath Co Laois, on Monday. Ms Bainbridge, who was in her 50s, is believed to have been shot with a legally held .22 rifle.
She "and her husband David, moved to Ireland from Worthing, England, five years ago and bought the Rectory at Coolrain, just outside Mounrath. They ran a bed and breakfast business. Mr Bainbridge was working in the garden when his wife was shot inside the house.
The 28 year old man was arrested by gardai after a struggle and taken to Portlaoise station where he is being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. His period of detention was extended last evening and he is not expected to be brought before a court until today at the earliest.
On Saturday evening, a Dublin woman, Ms Martina Halligan (33), was stabbed to death in Darndale. Neighbours reported hearing a row at Ms Halligan's home in Buttercup Way and seeing her run from the house pursued by a man who was said to be covered in blood. Neighbours went to Ms Halligan's aid and called an ambulance. However she was declared dead at Beaumont Hospital. A man arrested at the scene appeared in court on Sunday night and has been remanded in custody.
Meanwhile, gardai are still investigating the circumstances of the death of the young north Dublin woman, Ms Tracey Elliott (19), who was found in a school playground on Sunday morning.
It is believed Ms Elliott, from Killester, fell from the roof of one of the classroom blocks at her former school, Our Lady of Consolation, in Donnycarney late on Saturday night. Local gardai say they do not suspect foul play.