Suspect in murder of Mirjana Pap was on the run when she was found beaten to death
Sources have told the Irish Mirror that Gardaí now believe Mirjan Pap let her killer into her home in Athlone on Saturday morning – where they then launched a savage attack on her
A suspect in the murder of Mirjana Pap was on the run when she was beaten to death, it has emerged.
Sources have confirmed to The Irish Mirror that the suspect had failed to turn up in court over an unconnected offence – and Gardaí were looking for him when Ms Pap, 58, was beaten to death on Saturday.
We have also learned that the suspect had previously made threats to kill Ms Pap, 58, and she had expressed concerns for her own safety. Sources also tell us Gardaí now believe Ms Pap let her killer into her home in Athlone, Co Westmeath on Saturday morning – where they then launched a savage attack on her.
Gardaí now believe that after murdering the Croatian-born widow, the killer then put her lifeless body in a car and drove it to remote farmland on the Westmeath/Roscommon border. He then dumped her remains in a drain on the farmland - before leaving the area. Gardaí later launched a missing person's case when there was no sign of her.
And officers probing Ms Pap’s disappearance arrested the suspect over the outstanding bench warrant – and he was still in custody on Wednesday evening. The warrant was issued after he failed to turn up in court in Athlone on an unrelated offence around a fortnight before Ms Pap was murdered.
Sources also say he denied knowing where Ms Pap was when he was asked about her disappearance. The remains of Ms Pap were found near Clonark in Co Roscommon on Monday morning – two days after she was last seen.
Sources say officers went to the area 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 it is likely Gardaí will interview the suspect over Ms Pap’s death in the coming days.
The case of her death was upgraded to murder on New Year’s Eve after a post-mortem carried out at University Hospital Galway established she died from an assault. Gardaí probing her death have released an image of this car – 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 on Tuesday. 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 11 am 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.
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
