DNA may identify murdered woman

FURTHER DNA tests will be carried out over the weekend on the body of a murdered woman whose remains were found in the Phoenix Park.

DNA samples from a Romanian family were sent to the Garda Forensic Science Laboratory in the Phoenix Park yesterday for analysis.

Gardaí now believe a tip-off from a Romanian national living in Ireland has been the strongest lead yet in identifying the woman who died of multiple stab wounds.

A liaison with the Romanian community in Ireland contacted Interpol who, in turn, contacted a family in Romania on Thursday.

It is believed the dead woman came from near the city of Timisoara in the west of the country.

Supt John Gilligan said there was now a “strong chance” it was the woman identified by the Romanian man.

She had been living in Ireland for a number of years and had left her family behind in Romania. She was homeless and had lost touch with people she initially met in Ireland.

The Romanian contact claimed to have identified her from photographs released earlier this week, particularly from a distinctive mole on her left temple.

The woman has two adult children who have been told of the possibility that the dead woman is their mother.

They told Romanian police that she was missing in Ireland.

Gardaí have not, though, given up the possibility that the body is not that of the missing woman.

Gardaí released extensive photographs of the woman earlier this week in an attempt to jog people’s memories.

A €10,000 reward has been offered for information which can help identify her.