Gardaí were questioning a man in Gort, Co Galway, last night over the discovery of a woman's body in a house near Craughwell early yesterday.
The woman, who has been named locally as Catherine McInerney (35), of Feenagh, Co Limerick, was found dead with head injuries in the bedroom of a restored thatched cottage in Derryhoyle Mor, about two miles from Craughwell in east Galway.
Gardaí in Gort say they received a phone call about an incident early yesterday and made their way to the rented cottage at the end of a cul-de-sac.
The deputy State pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis, was called to the scene, which was sealed off for forensic examination.
Ms McInerney had moved to the area only several weeks ago with her partner and had previously been living in Galway city. Her body was taken to University College Hospital, Galway, for a full postmortem.
Shortly before 5pm a man in his 30s was arrested and taken to Gort Garda station, where he was held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. It is believed a blunt instrument was taken from the scene.
Gardaí carried out house-to-house inquiries, and Supt Paul Mockler of Gort Garda station described the death as "highly suspicious".