Slain mother of two was stabbed 10 times
Taoiseach tries to allay fears after ‘barbaric’ killing
TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has described the murder of mother-of-two Lisa Thompson as ‘horrific and barbaric’.
He extended his sympathies to the family of the 52-yearold former youth worker, who was stabbed to death in her north Dublin home this week.
He said he wanted to assure the public there was no tolerance for such horrific crimes.
Mr Martin said: ‘There’s been very significant new measures brought in in terms of sentencing, in terms of powers to the gardaí and also in respect of the gardaí being in the position to bring many people to justice.’
Detectives are examining Ms Thompson’s mobile phone to see who she was in contact with, and when she last left her house before being brutally killed.
They said a post-mortem examination has now been completed by State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan, and that a preliminary report had been provided to the investigating team.
They have said they are keeping an open mind about the motive for the killing, and about whether the stay-at-home mother may have known her assailant. No arrests have yet been made.
Superintendent Darren McCarthy said Ms Thompson died some time between Saturday and 3.30pm on Tuesday, when the alarm was raised. Indications from the crime scene suggest she was stabbed at least 10 times.
She was from Ballymun, went to school there and had lived there all her adult life.
Her 13-year-old son and 12year-old daughter were not present at the time, and it is understood they were at a local youth centre with their father when they heard the news.
Appealing for help from the public, Supt McCarthy said: ‘Lisa was a 52-year-old woman, she was well known in her local community, which is shocked over her violent and traumatic death. We continue to examine all lines of inquiry and have an open mind as to the motive.
‘I appeal to anyone with any information on this violent murder to contact us at Ballymun Garda Station.’
He appealed for anyone with information on Ms Thompson’s movements from Saturday up to Tuesday to come forward.
He also appealed for anyone with video footage from the Sandyhill area of Ballymun, and the surrounding roads of Marewood Crescent and Balbutcher Lane for that period to contact investigating gardaí at Ballymun Garda Station on 01 666 4400, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Supt McCarthy said his colleagues at Ballymun Garda Station had gone to Ms Thompson’s two-storey terraced home at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun, at 3.30pm on Tuesday.
Social Democrats Councillor Mary Callaghan said the community is in a state of shock.
Referencing a number of recent violent deaths in the area, including the shooting to death in Finglas of mother-of-five Sandra Boyd in March, she said: ‘There has been quite a few tragedies over the last year. This seems to be just so senseless.
‘These types of things don’t need to happen, and people are absolutely heartbroken. My heart goes out to the children.
‘It must have just been such an awful experience and the community no doubt will absolutely rally around the family and friends.’