Woman found in hotel possibly strangled

Gardaí were last night investigating suspicious deaths in Dublin and Offaly after a woman in her 30s was found dead in a hotel bedroom in Tallaght and a man in his 60s was found dead at his home in Edenderry, Co Offaly.

They are investigating if the woman was strangled while the man had suffered head injuries.

The remains of the woman, who has not yet been identified, were discovered by cleaning staff at the four-star Plaza Hotel in Tallaght, Dublin, at approximately 3.30pm yesterday.

Although the exact circumstances of her death were unclear yesterday evening, gardaí were treating it as suspicious and a possible case of strangulation.

However, investigating detectives were waiting to hear the results of a preliminary examination by deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis who attended the scene shortly after the remains were discovered.

The woman was a guest of the hotel and is thought to be Irish but it is unclear if she was a local to the area.

The scene was sealed off yesterday afternoon and the body remained in situ for examination.

It is not thought that any disturbance came to the attention of hotel staff but rather that the woman was found by cleaning staff.

Gardaí are now set to examine CCTV footage from the premises to see who had gained access to her room or to see if she had been in the company of anyone else.

Separately, gardaí said a man who was found dead at his home in Edenderry, Co Offaly, yesterday had suffered head injuries.

The man, named locally as Thomas “Toddy” Dooley, was described as a quiet, inoffensive, partially sighted individual by locals.

His body was discovered at his home on Sister Senan Court in Edenderry at 2.45pm.

An Edenderry native, Mr Dooley, who was in his mid-60s, lived alone at the house and was well known in the area.

Gardaí said “a member of the public alerted the gardaí to this house. They were concerned about their neighbour.”

On arrival at the house gardaí discovered a rear window open and “found a male lying on a couch with head injuries”. The scene was preserved by gardaí who were last night carrying out a technical examination.

Local Cllr Finian O’Neill (FF) described him as “a quiet guy. He wouldn’t mind anyone, would stick to himself.

“He lived in Edenderry all his life,” said Mr O’Neill adding, “He’d always have an aul hello for everyone.”

The body remained at the scene last night. The Office of State Pathologist was notified and a pathologist is expected to attend this morning.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area of Sister Senan Court over the weekend to contact Tullamore Garda station on (057) 93 27600 or ring the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Meanwhile gardaí said postmortem results on the body of a man found in Co Laois on Saturday will determine the direction of their investigation.

The 26-year-old Latvian national was discovered with suspected stab wounds at a house on Spa Street in Portarlington at about 5pm.

Gardaí are continuing to question two Lithuanian nationals, one in his early 30s and another in his mid 40s, who were arrested at the scene.

They are being held in Portlaoise and Tullamore Garda stations.

It is understood the deceased lived in the house with one of the men.

A row is believed to have taken place while the three were drinking there at the house.

The remains of the deceased were removed from the property following a preliminary examination by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster yesterday morning.

Although the case is expected to be upgraded to a murder inquiry, gardaí said the outcome of the postmortem will determine the nature of the investigation.

Gardaí are carrying out a detailed forensic examination of the scene at Spa Street which remains sealed off.

Local Councillor Raymond Cribbin(FF) lives a short distance from the house. “A lot of people are in a state of shock over it,” he said.

“I’d see them, I’d often go by the house. They seemed to be nice fellas and it’s a tragedy that it took place.”

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for information and can be contacted at Portlaoise Garda station on (057) 8674100.