GARDAI investigating the death of Ms Bridget Stokes (35) in a fire at a temporary halting site in Dublin say that they have not ruled out foul play.
Ms Stokes, who was married with no children, was alone in her caravan on the site at St Margaret's Road, Ballymun, when the fire broke out on Tuesday night.
Her husband, Michael, was in a relative's caravan nearby, according to neighbours. His mother, who lives in another caravan on the site, was treated for shock following the incident, they said.
Ballymun gardai yesterday began carrying out inquiries at the site and a man was being interviewed by them last night.
The results of a post mortem examination conducted by the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, were inconclusive. A Garda spokesman said that further tests would be carried out on the body today.
A forensic examination was carried out yesterday on the remains of the caravan. Sheets of twisted metal littered the site, which was cordoned off. The remains of a spring mattress and a cooker could be seen among the charred rubble.
A Garda spokesman said that it was too early to say how the blaze had started.
Neighbours on the 40 caravan site said that about 10 people had been drinking in Ms Stokes's caravan on Tuesday evening. They had left at about 11 p.m. and Ms Stokes had gone to bed. A woman who was going to fetch water at 11.20 p.m. noticed the fire. A man broke a window in the caravan, but was unable to gain access because of the smoke and flames.
Ms Stokes's family said that they had no idea how the fire started. "She didn't smoke, she gave up the fags three weeks ago. It wasn't gas, the gas wasn't escaping. It just happened so quick that the trailer was on fire", said Ms Stokes's sister, Theresa.
Ms Stokes had been married for 17 years and had six sisters and two brothers. She had no children, but it is understood that she looked after a young niece during the day.
Relatives and friends gathered yesterday in the caravan of Ms Stokes's mother, Ms Winnie McDonagh, to express their condolences. Father Frank Murphy, from the Parish for the Travelling People, and Sister Catherine O'Driscoll also visited Ms McDonagh. Father Murphy described Ms Stokes as a "beautiful person". He added "It really is extremely tragic for her to die in this way."
A Garda spokesman in Ballymun said they were trying to piece together what had happened. They were keeping a "completely open mind" on the incident and had not ruled out foul play.