GARDAÍ launched a murder investigation today (Tuesday) after an elderly woman was found dead in her home in Nenagh, County Tipperary, this past Sunday.
The victim was named locally as Josephine ‘Joan’ Ray, aged 89.
Ms Ray’s body was found at her home at St Joseph’s Park in the north Tipperary town on early Sunday afternoon (August 4).
A reliable Garda source said investigators were satisfied there was no visible sign of a break-in at the victim’s home.
A “number of lines of enquiry” were being followed by Gardaí, including one possible theory that Ms Ray may have known her killer.
“It is a murder investigation, we are happy to classify it as that now,” a senior Garda source told the Limerick Post.
Details of how Ms Ray was killed were being kept under warps by the Garda investigation team for “operational reasons”.
However, a senior Garda source said while the murder investigation was at an early stage, Gardaí did not believe any weapon was used.
Local councillor Seamie Morris paid tribute to Ms Ray, who was just shy of celebrating her 90th birthday, and was known locally as a “real character, who loved her fashion”.
“Rest in peace Joan, if everyone in the world was as nice as Joan we would have the perfect well-dressed world,” Cllr Morris said.
“Everyone knew Joan around the town for her dress sense, she loved her fashion, she always dressed well, and she loved to enjoy herself.
“She has children and grandchildren and they would be very close.
“People will be shocked at her death, particularly in her local community in St Joseph’s Park, because it is such a close and tight-knit community there”.
Passing on his sympathies to Ms Ray’s family, Mr Morris said: “You wouldn’t put her at (89), because she was sprightly. Everybody will be devastated at her death because she was the sort of woman who never imposed on anyone.”
A senior Garda source said: “It is no longer being treated as a suspicious death and we are happy for it to be called a murder investigation, so it has whatever Garda resources are needed and whatever assistance is required. A full investigation team is on it.”
No arrests had been made Tuesday however Gardaí were “satisfied with the progress that is being made on it at the moment”.
A Garda spokesman said that Nenagh Gardaí, along with other emergency services, “were alerted to the incident shortly after midday” Sunday last.
“The woman, aged in her 80s, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and her body was removed to University Hospital Limerick.
“The scene was preserved for technical examination by the Garda National Technical Bureau, and the coroner was notified.
“A post-mortem examination was completed by the State Pathologist yesterday, Monday 5th August 2024. The results of the post-mortem examination are not being released for operational reasons.”
As per normal protocols of a murder investigation “a senior investigating officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation, and an incident room has been established” at Nenagh Garda Station.
A Garda Family Liaison Officer was also “assigned to support the family of the deceased woman”.
Ms Ray’s neighbour, Michael O’Brien, described her as having a “heart of gold”.
In a Facebook post, Mr O’Brien wrote: “I would like to pay tribute to my good friend the late Joan Ray who passed away a couple of days ago. I have known Joan for many years as I used to frequent her house on a regular basis. Joan always welcomed me with open arms into her home.”
“She would always greet me with a smile and a cup of tea. The last time I spoke to Joan it was her birthday. That particular day Joan was feeling a bit down.
“To cheer her up I told her I would drop her up a birthday card. You should have seen her face light up. It really made my day to see her happy.
“Many a time I would meet Joan in town and would link her home to St Joseph’s Park as her sight declined with age. Despite this Joan would always ask how I was doing after my stroke.
“She had a heart of gold and I will dearly miss her and so will her many friends in St. Joseph’s Park and beyond. Rest in peace my dear friend.”
In a Facebook post following this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Nenagh, Mr O’Brien posted a photograph of himself with Ms Ray: “Me and my best friend Joan Ray. 89 years old and still has the moves. A pure lady.”
“In all my years knowing Joan I never heard say a bad word about anyone”.
Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward, “particularly those who were in the St Joseph’s Park area of Nenagh, County Tipperary, between 8pm on Saturday 3rd August 2024, and mid-day on Sunday 4th August 2024”.
“Additionally, individuals with video recordings, including motorists with dash cams, from the area within the timeframe are asked to provide footage to investigating Gardaí.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station at 067 50 450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
