Woman (55) who died in Co Laois assault known to man arrested

Sarah Slater

A man in his 70s remains in garda custody following the fatal assault of a woman in Co Laois on Sunday.

The dead woman (55) it is understood was known to the arrested man, who is aged in his 70s.

The woman, who worked in a dental practice and lived over the premises, was found in a house on Church Street in Portlaoise at 12.30 pm.

Gardaí and emergency services responded to the incident, and the woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The State Pathologist was notified, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course at Midlands Hospital Portlaoise.

The man was arrested at the scene and is currently detained at a station in the Garda Eastern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The scene remains preserved for technical examination.

A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation. An incident room has been established at Portlaoise Garda station.

Local Independent TD Brian Stanley said: “It’s a huge tragedy for this woman and a huge tragedy for her family and indeed the people in this street. We all would have known her. She was a very friendly woman, a very nice woman.

“She worked in a dental practice, and lived there. We are really shocked by what has happened here and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.

Anyone who was in the Church Street area on Sunday, 5th July 2026, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm and who may have camera footage, including CCTV or dashcam, is asked to provide this footage to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Garda investigations are ongoing.