Man arrested in relation to death of Paula Lawlor (32) is released

James Cox

UPDATED: 7.50am 20/12/24

A woman found dead in Gorey, Co Wexford, on Thursday has been named locally as 32-year-old Paula Lawlor.

A man in his 30s was released on Friday morning, gardaí have confirmed.

The postmortem was completed on her body by State Pathologist Dr  Sally Anne Collis on Thursday evening. The results of the postmortem are not being released for operational reasons, gardaí said.

She was found in her home in Gorey, in the Baile Eoghain estate, at around 3am on Thursday morning.

The man, who was known to Ms Lawlor, had been detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The scene is preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau. Her body was brought to University Hospital Waterford for a postmortem examination.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Gorey Garda Station. A family liaison officer (FLO) has also been assigned to support the family.

Gardaí are appealing to witnesses to come forward.

Additionally, they are seeking dashcam footage from motorists who were in the vicinity of Baile Eoghain at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 094 30690 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Local Fine Gael councillor Anthony Donohoe said: "Someone's death is sad at any time of the year but coming just six days out from Christmas that just compounds the misery of the family.

"It's a massive shock to the town and to the people of Gorey. Gorey's a quiet town. Baile Eoghain is a long-established housing estate in Gorey.

"When [then-minister] Eoghan Murphy was in housing, the council built about 20 new units in the estate. It's a council estate, it's a nice estate. It's something you just don't expect to happen here."