Killing victim lay dead in her home for days

THE body of a 71-year-old woman, who was killed last week in her home, lay undetected for five days.

The victim of the killing – which has been described as ‘somewhat bizarre’– was named locally as Ann Butler, from Kilkenny city.

A local man in his late 20s was arrested at the scene on Wednesday evening, having phoned gardaí from another location in the city to report the killing, sources have revealed.

Gardaí collected the suspect and brought him to the woman’s house on Maudlin Street, where they discovered her remains. The man was immediately arrested.

Gardaí are exploring whether Ms Bulter was killed as part of a botched burglary. But sources stressed that this was just ‘one theory’ and that the motive for the killing remained ‘wide open’.

Investigating detectives concede that the circumstances of the killing are ‘somewhat bizarre’, given that the suspect phoned gardaí and then brought officers to the scene. Gardaí are not seeking any other person in connection with the killing.

Because Ms Butler’s body lay undiscovered for five days, how exactly she was killed remains undetermined as the post mortem was still being carried out last night. There are ‘indications’ that the victim may have been stabbed to death, but sources stressed last night that the exact cause of death remained unconfirmed.

It is understood that the suspect in custody was making ‘some admissions’ under questioning last night.

The victim lived alone on Maudlin Street in the city and is believed to be the mother to an adult daughter.

Sources say that residents in the area, particularly older people, have been left ‘very upset’ by the killing.

‘Local people here are already reeling from trying to deal with

Covid-19; this has really increased the stress levels. There are a lot of elderly people living close to the victim,’ said a source.

The scene on Maudlin Street is located among a cluster of three small single-storey houses accessed by a flight of steps.

A number of other locations in Kilkenny city were also being searched yesterday. It is understood these locations are linked to the man now being questioned.

Gardaí in Kilkenny have appealed for anyone with information to contact them as the inquiry continues.

The 71-year-old victim was described as ‘well-liked’ and a ‘lovely woman’ by her neighbours yesterday.

Gardaí said in a statement yesterday: ‘Gardaí in Kilkenny continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unexplained death of a woman in her 70s.

‘A man remains in custody at Kilkenny Garda Station on suspicion of murder and is currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

‘The woman’s body has been removed from the scene to Dublin City Morgue where a post mortem will be completed by State pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan later today [yesterday].

‘Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information in relation to this incident to contact Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 7775000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.’

‘Well-liked’ and ‘lovely’ woman