Two held over death of Athlone woman

Gardaí have arrested two people in connection with the death last week of Athlone woman Lillian Scanlon.

A man (51) and a woman (52) were arrested at seperate addresses in the Willow Park area of Athlone at around 8am this morning.

The man is being detained at Longford Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. The woman is being detained at Athlone Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

Ms Scanlon, who was in her 40s, was discovered dead on the kitchen floor of her house at 10am last Friday at Valley Court, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Ms Scanlon had been living in Athlone for some time, but was originally from Clara, Co Offaly. She was a separated mother of three.

Detectives believe she was involved in a row at her home around the time of her death. She was discovered dead at 10am on Friday by a woman who had stayed in the house overnight.

Gardaí believe that the victim, her house guest, and at least two other people had been drinking in the house on the Thursday night. While blood was found at the scene, Ms Scanlon had no obvious trauma injuries.

However, a post-mortem examination revealed bruising to her upper body and gardaí believe these injuries were sustained during the course of an assault.