Ex-boyfriend held over fatal stabbing of a young woman

A WOMAN was stabbed to death by a former boyfriend in front of several shocked bystanders yesterday.

The Lithuanian woman, in her early 30s, was stabbed in the chest outside her apartment block by man in his early 40s, understood to be her former partner, also a Lithuanian.

She was taken to hospital but died of her injuries.

Senior security sources say the attack, on the street outside the woman’s apartment at Linen Hall Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth, took place at 2.45pm yesterday.

A number of people witnessed the Lithuanian man launch his stabbing attack and are ‘understandably traumatised’.

A senior source said: ‘This woman was either on the way into her home or was leaving when she was targeted. It appears he was lying in wait for her. A number of people witnessed it and literally couldn’t believe their eyes when this unfolded. He came at her and stabbed her in the chest.’

It is understood she was stabbed at least once in the chest. Sources say gardaí believe the attack may have captured on CCTV.

Officers were at the scene ‘within minutes’ after being contacted by a distraught member of the public.

A security source said: ‘Gardaí were on the scene within a couple of minutes. They tracked down the chief suspect, he was just a couple of streets away. It was good, swift police work to track him down so quickly.’

The woman was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda but was later pronounced dead.

Gardaí are not yet releasing the woman’s name as they were last night trying to trace her family and inform them of the death.

It is not believed she has family in Ireland. Officers were last night interviewing all witnesses, many of whom remained in a distraught state and will have to be spoken to more in the coming days.

The scene was yesterday preserved for a technical and forensic examination and an incident room has been established at Dundalk Garda station.

The State Pathologist’s office and coroner have been notified.

The chief suspect in his 40s in custody is currently detained at Dundalk Garda station under the provisions of Section 4 – Criminal Justice Act 1984. He is being quizzed on suspicion of murder.

Gardaí are appealing for the public’s assistance and specifically for anyone who may have witnesses to contact them, they are particularly interested in anyone who may have dash cam footage.

Investigations were ongoing last night and neighbours and locals were being canvassed.

Gardaí said in a statement: ‘Gardaí at Dundalk, Co. Louth, are investigating a stabbing incident which occurred at Linen Hall Street, Dundalk Co. Louth at approximately 2.45pm.

‘A female in her 30s was seriously injured, she was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and was subsequently pronounced dead a short time later.’

Witnessed were distraught