GARDAÍ HAVE confirmed they are treating the investigation into the death of a Co Clare woman with the same seriousness as a murder inquiry even though they cannot yet verify what kind of investigation they are pursuing.
While gardaí have not yet mounted a full murder inquiry, they have confirmed Deirdre McCarthy died a violent death and say they expect results in the next few days, but believe many of the answers lie in the local community.
It is expected confirmation of a formal murder investigation will come in a matter of days and that at least one arrest is imminent.
The body of the 43-year-old single woman was found washed up at Fanore beach in Co Clare on Thursday morning three days after she was reported missing from her Ballyvaughan home. Ms McCarthy was last seen alive on Sunday night and the alarm was raised on Monday afternoon.
As Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar carried out his postmortem examination at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick yesterday, Chief Supt John Kerin, who is heading the investigation, convened a press briefing at Ennis Garda station.
Garda press officer Supt John Gilligan said Dr Jabbar’s result could not be released until he had made his conclusions.
“What we can say is that, because of the investigation so far, we are satisfied that she died as a result of violence and while we are not specifically naming the type of investigation, we are treating the investigation, at this point in time, with the same seriousness as a murder investigation,” Supt Gilligan said. “We think that whatever happened to Deirdre, the answer lies in the local community, a community which is now shook by her death. We want people to think about what happened; to think about what they may have seen or heard, anything unusual or suspicious, the sighting of a car or person.
“Something small often leads to the development of a further lead in the investigation so we are asking people to come forward.”
Making an appeal to the public for assistance, Supt Gilligan said part of that appeal relates to Ms McCarthy’s last-known movements after she arrived home at Turlough House and activity around her residence. Gardaí have confirmed she returned home at about 11.30pm and that she had been given a lift there by friends.
“It’s a very serious situation when a woman of 43 years of age is found dead on a beach as a result of violence and we’re determined that over the course of the next few days, as part of the investigation, we will discover what happened.”
Gardaí have also confirmed that two vehicles, seized as part of the investigation, have been technically examined. However, no arrests have yet been made.
Sources have confirmed gardaí have spoken to a “person of interest” several times and this local man is their main suspect.
Ms McCarthy is survived by her mother Helen, brother Tom and sisters Helen, Christina, Bernie and Ann.
Gardaí in Ennistymon can be contacted at 065-7072180.