Woman dead and husband seriously injured following Cork stabbing
Garda members about to conduct door-to-door inquiries at Shrewsbury Downs in Ballinlough, Cork, following a fatal incident that left a woman dead and her husband seriously injured. Picture: Dan Linehan.
A woman has died and her husband remains seriously injured in hospital after they were attacked outside their home in Ballinlough in Cork on Monday night.
The couple were stabbed outside their home in Shrewsbury Downs on the southside of the city at around 9.30pm yesterday.
They have been named locally as Stella and Brian Gallagher.
The couple had been living in the estate for around 20 years and worked as chemical engineers.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of an assault outside a domestic residence in the estate, and the couple were taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for treatment of critical injuries.
The 59-year-old woman subsequently died in hospital. Her husband, who is in his early 60s, was seriously injured and underwent emergency surgery.
A man, in his mid-20s, was arrested at the scene and is being detained at a garda station in Cork city, pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
The Office of the State Pathologist has been notified of the death and a post-mortem examination is due to take place.
The scene has additionally been preserved for examination by the Cork City Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.
A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Anglesea Street garda station.
A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has also been assigned to support the family of the deceased.
Speaking to Labour Party councillor for the Cork City South East ward Peter Horgan said the incident has “cast a dark cloud on the community” in Ballinlough.
“This is a desperate tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their wider family, along with the shock of the neighbourhood," said Mr Horgan.
“Gardaí continue with their investigation and must be allowed the space to do that.
“It has cast a dark cloud on the community this morning.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the incident is “very sad news for the neighbourhood”.
“It’s extremely sad, very very difficult to comprehend,” said Mr Martin.
“Neighbours are shocked and very saddened at what has happened.
“A woman has lost her life and her husband is seriously injured; my heart goes out to the family.
“I don't know the circumstances surrounding this, the gardaí are examining and investigating this now, and we’ll have to wait to see the outcome," said Mr Martin.
“It’s very sad news for the neighbourhood and I live in that neighbourhood,” he added.
“It’s totally unexpected and I can only think of the family and friends of the family who have been impacted by this awful incident.”
Independent councillor for the Cork City South East ward, Kieran McCarthy shared his condolences with the family and friends of the deceased.
“My thoughts are with family members, neighbours and friends on what is very tragic event in the Ballinlough community,” said Mr McCarthy.
“Everyone is in shock”.
Speaking to Paul Byrne of Cork’s 96FM, a local man said he was shocked at what had unfolded in their quiet neighbourhood.
“It is frightening to think that it could happen on your doorstep,” he said.
“That you could look out your window and see people lying out there. Especially when you have young kids living here and playing out on the green here.
“It is frightening that the value of life is diminishing.”
The man said that he wasn’t at home when the incident took place, but became aware of the unfolding situation when his wife contacted him.
“She was ringing,” he said.
“Other neighbours were ringing leaving messages to stay indoors for now.” Another neighbour said that gardaí responded very quickly last night.
“It was great to see,” said one person. We are shocked, we have never ever seen anything like this.”
A local woman said that it was “shocking” to see such a tragedy hit the area in the run up to Christmas, and that violent deaths were “happening too often.”
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward, with anyone who was in the Shrewsbury Downs area of Ballinlough between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Monday, and who may have camera footage, including home security and dash-cam footage, asked to make themselves known to investigating gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Anglesea Street Garda Station on 021 452 2000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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