Woman found beaten to death in Roscommon was afraid of man known to her
The Irish Mirror has learned that Mirjana Pap, who was from Croatia but had been living in Athlone, Co Westmeath, had expressed concerns for her safety in the weeks before her death
The woman whose body was found on remote farmland was beaten to death before being dumped in a drain, it emerged on Tuesday night.
And, as Gardaí launched a murder probe into the death of Mirjana Pap, sources revealed she suffered severe head injuries in the attack.
The Irish Mirror has also learned that Ms Pap, who was from Croatia but had been living in Athlone, Co Westmeath, had expressed concerns for her safety in the weeks before her death. It’s understood she was afraid of a man known to her.
READ MORE: Body discovered in Waterford after three-week missing person search stood down
A post-mortem was underway at University Hospital Galway on Tuesday night, but sources have told us Gardaí are satisfied Ms Pap, 58, was killed before being dumped in a drain in farmland at Curraghaleen, Clonark, Co Roscommon.
That area was still sealed off on Tuesday night – as was a property in Athlone. Gardaí found the body of Ms Pap in Curraghaleen on Monday afternoon – 48 hours after she went missing from Athlone. Sources say officers went there after receiving information that a person of interest in the case indicated Ms Pap’s body could be found there. Gardaí searched the area and found the remains of Ms Pap in a drain on farmland.
Nobody has been arrested over the death of Ms Pap, but a person of interest who was known to the victim was in custody on an unrelated matter. It is likely Gardaí will interview him over Ms Pap’s death as early as Wednesday. Meanwhile, Gardaí probing her death released an image of this car on Tuesday night – and asked anyone who saw it in the Athlone area to come forward.
“The investigation is ongoing and Gardaí are appealing to the public for information,” the force said in a statement.
They now want to hear from anyone who saw the car on Saturday. The statement said: “Gardaí are particularly interested in the movements of a silver 08G registered Peugeot 207 on Saturday 28th of December 2024 between 11am and 12 noon.
“The car is understood to have travelled from Beechville estate, Athlone onto the N6 motorway (west bound) from junction 11 to junction 13 before continuing on the R362 from Monksland to Bealnaulla. Motorists who travelled along these routes within this timeframe are asked to provide Gardaí with dash-cam footage.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Athlone Garda Station on 090 649 8550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
Ms Pap, who lived in Athlone, Co Westmeath, had been at the centre of a major missing person’s case since she disappeared on Saturday. Gardaí and her family had expressed serious concerns for her welfare – and those fears were borne out when her body was found in Co Roscommon on Monday.
The area was immediately sealed off following the grim discovery – as was a house in Athlone. Officers also seized two cars as part of their probe. The remains of Croatian-born woman were removed to University Hospital in Galway on Monday night - and the post-mortem took place on Tuesday.
Mirjana was described as being approximately 5 foot 8 inches tall with a medium build, white hair and brown eyes. Gardaí issued a public appeal for help in finding her on Sunday. But early on Monday, the search for her was called off when a body was found.
"We would like to thank the public and media for their assistance in this matter," Gardaí said in a statement.
It’s understood local Gardaí are being assisted by detectives from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which probes serious crime.
Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
