Gardaí investigating the murder of a Malawian woman, whose body was found in Co Kilkenny in July, were last night questioning a Nigerian woman, writes Conor Lally.
The 24-year-old woman was arrested in Waterford yesterday morning under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
She was being questioned at Waterford Garda Station last night and can be held for up to 72 hours without charge.
Ms Paiche Onyemaechi's decomposed body was found on the bank of the River Pil, Piltown, Co Kilkenny, on July 23rd.
It was wrapped in plastic bags and had been there for a number of weeks. The 25-year-old woman's head has never been recovered.
Gardaí believe Ms Onyemaechi's murder may have been a ritualistic one. They have sought the advice of police in the UK who have investigated similar killings.
Ms Onyemaechi was the daughter of the Malawian chief justice, Mr Leonard Unyolo. She came to Ireland as an asylum-seeker around four years ago and was living in Waterford with her husband and children.
She left Malawi in the late 1990s and went to London to pursue a course in business administration. While there she met her Nigerian-born husband. She later dropped out of college and moved to Ireland. Gardaí are seeking her husband for interview.