Teenager arrested after woman found dead in Co Offaly

A teenage boy has been arrested after a woman in her 40s was found dead following a violent incident in Co Offaly.

Gardai responded at approximately 1pm to reports of an incident at a residential property in a rural area outside of Tullamore, where the body of the woman was found.

The boy who was arrested was known to the victim and was being detained at a Garda station in the Midlands.

Gardai were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Police urged people not to share images of the incident online.

A spokesperson said: “An Garda Siochana is aware that images from this incident are circulating on social media and messaging apps.

“An Garda Siochana is appealing to any person who receives these images not to share the content.”

Fine Gael councillor in Tullamore Neil Feighery said the community would “rally around” the impacted families in the wake of the tragedy.

“We are, as a community, in absolute shock. We are still coming to terms with the news and we’re waiting to hear from An Garda Siochana but the reports are truly shocking,” he said.

“My thoughts and prayers are genuinely with the family impacted by this terrible, terrible, terrible tragedy.

“It’s something that is really hard to comprehend and please God, the families will get the support and grace and blessings that they need at this horrendous time.

“Truly horrendous time for our community and for our town and for our area.

“I just wanted to send my own sympathies and give my sincerest sympathies – and everything that can be done by the Tullamore community will be done in the coming days and weeks.”