Gardaí investigating the disappearance of a 37-year-old Co Westmeath woman have arrested a man on suspicion of murder.
The 60-year-old man was arrested in Athlone this morning under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.and remains in custody this evening.
Gardaí have also sealed off a house in the town pending forensic examination.
Athlone native Marie Greene was last seen at her family home at 9pm on Sunday.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan later revealed officers suspect Ms Greene has been murdered.
“We are treating this case as murder and we have arrested a person this morning for murder,” said the Commissioner.
“That person is detained on the suspicion of having committed that offence.
“We are working very, very closely with this family.
“This is a particularly traumatic time for anyone whose son or daughter or loved one is missing and we are very, very conscious of that.
“And our family liaison officers are working closely at the moment with the family and in particular the mother of the person who we suspect may have been murdered.”
Additional reporting PA