Murder investigation launched after woman (89) found dead in Co Tipperary

David Raleigh

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation after an elderly woman was found dead in her home in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, on Sunday.

The victim was named locally as Josephine “Joan” Ray, aged 89.

Ms Ray’s body was found at her home at St Joseph’s Park in the north Tipperary town on early Sunday afternoon, August 4th.

A reliable Garda source said investigators were satisfied there was no visible sign of a break-in at the victim’s home.

A “number of lines of enquiry” were being followed by gardaí, including one possible theory that Ms Ray may have known her killer.

“It is a murder investigation, we are happy to classify it as that now,” said a senior Garda source.

Details of how Ms Ray was killed were being kept under wrap by the Garda investigation team for “operational reasons”.

However, a senior Garda source said while the murder investigation was at an early stage, gardaí did not believe any weapon was used.

Local councillor Seamie Morris paid tribute to Ms Ray, who was just shy of celebrating her 90th birthday, and was known locally as a “real character, who loved her fashion”.

“Rest in peace Joan, if everyone in the world was as nice as Joan we would have the perfect well-dressed world,” Cllr Morris said.

“Everyone knew Joan around the town for her dress-sense, she loved her fashion, she always dressed well, and she loved to enjoy herself.”

“She has children and grandchildren, and they would be very close.”

“People will be shocked at her death, particularly in her local community, in St Joseph’s Park, because it is such a close and tight-knit community there.”

A Garda spokesperson said that gardaí along with other emergency services in Nenagh “were alerted to the incident shortly after midday” last Sunday.

“The woman, aged in her 80s, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and her body was removed to University Hospital Limerick.”

“The scene was preserved for technical examination by the Garda National Technical Bureau, and the coroner was notified.”

“A post-mortem examination was completed by the State Pathologist yesterday, Monday, August 5th, 2024. The results of the post-mortem examination are not being released for operational reasons.”

As per normal protocols of a murder investigation “a senior investigating officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation, and an incident room has been established” at Nenagh Garda Station.