Gardaí treating Cork mother's death as murder
Forensic officers at the scene of the blaze. Picture: Des Barry
Gardaí have confirmed they are treating as murder the death of a mother of three in Passage West in Cork.
The body of 36-year-old Olivia Dunlea was discovered when gardaí and emergency services were called to a housefire at 26, Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, shortly after 1.30am yesterday morning.
Following a post mortem examination carried out by the State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy at Cork University Hospital, it was confirmed that Olivia Dunlea died in violent circumstances.
It is understood that she had been stabbed. Her death came after she returned from a night out with friends in the nearby Rochestown Inn on Saturday night.
Her three children — two boys and a girl aged between nine and 12 — lived with her, but were staying with their father from whom she was separated, on Saturday night.
Neighbours raised the alarm when they saw a blaze in Olivia’s home after 1am yesterday but did not realise she was in the house at the time.
Ms Dunlea's body was discovered by fire fighters in an upstairs room.
An incident room has been set up at Togher garda station and a technical examination of the scene is ongoing.
A man in his late 30s arrested as part of the investigation remains in custody at Togher garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone who was in the vicinity of Pembroke Crescent in Passage West or on adjoining roads between midnight and 2am yesterday to contact them at Togher garda station (021 4947127), or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
Additional reporting by Padraig Hoare and Ann Murphy of the Evening Echo
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