GARDAÍ investigating the death of a former County Limerick music teacher believe persons known to her have vital information about her final movements.
Talented musician and singer Louise Muckell from Rathkeale died at University Hospital Limerick last Wednesday following an apparent serious assault.
Gardaí said Ms Muckell was found with serious injuries on Tuesday night at her home in Cois Deel, Rathkeale. They suspect she was the victim of an assault at an apartment in Limerick City earlier on the day or in the days beforehand.
Gardaí are investigating a theory that a person or persons she knew have vital information about the circumstances of the assault and of Ms Muckell’s movements immediately before and after she sustained the injuries.
They suspect Ms Muckell may have been driven by a third party on a 60km round-trip from Rathkeale to Limerick City and back to her home in the west Limerick town last Tuesday.
Gardaí are understood to have identified a group of people from Ms Muckell’s social circle who they believe may have vital information to help their ongoing enquiries into her suspicious death.
They are examining CCTV footage from cameras in Rathkeale and Limerick City, to establish Ms Muckell’s last movements and if she was in the company of others at these critical times.
House-to-house enquires have been carried out in the Cois Deel estate, as well as in the area around Windmill Street in Limerick City, where they believe Ms Muckell was assaulted.
A post mortem examination was conducted by State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster but Gardaí have not released the autopsy results.
Ms Muckell, who was in her mid 50s, taught music in the former Sisters of Mercy secondary school, Rathkeale, and had trained under the late Irish soprano Veronica Dunne.
Fiona Ní Caoimh Dubhghall, a former Rathkeale youth choir member, who was taught by Ms Muckell, said she was “so saddened” to hear of her death.
In an online tribute Ms Ní Caoimh Dubhghall wrote: “In the late ‘80s, Louise took time to teach us, the youths of Rathkeale to come together in voice. Under Louise’s direction, the Rathkeale Youth Choir went to Mosney, a dream come true for many of us.”
Caroline Collins described Ms Muckell as “a gentle soul who left us with precious childhood memories, and that trip to Mosney was one of the highlights of our teenage years”.
Helen Collins added: “Very sad, sure Louise you will lead the choir in heaven.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
