25-year-old man still under questioning in connection to woman’s fatal incident near Cork residence

In a tragic incident near Cork, Gardaí continue to interrogate a 25-year-old man in relation to the fatal stabbing of a woman and the serious injury of her husband. The attack occurred on Monday night at approximately 9 PM outside their residence in Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough.

Details of the Incident

The victims, Stella Gallagher, aged 59, and her husband Brian, aged 63, were assaulted by a man wielding a knife. In a desperate bid to escape the assailant, Stella sought refuge in a neighbor’s house while Brian attempted to distract the attacker. Despite his efforts, Brian was seriously injured, suffering multiple knife wounds, including a severe slash to his neck.

Sequence of Events

• Stella fled to a neighbor’s home while Brian confronted the attacker.
• The attacker broke a window with a flowerpot trying to enter the neighbor’s house.
• Stella escaped the neighbor’s house but was pursued by the assailant.
• Approximately 45 meters from their residence, Stella was attacked again and sustained catastrophic injuries.

Emergency Response

Neighbors alerted authorities, and officers from the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) were first on the scene. Some apprehended the suspect, who had discarded the knife, while others administered CPR to both victims. They were subsequently transported to Cork University Hospital (CUH), where both underwent surgery.

Tragically, Stella did not survive her injuries and was pronounced dead before midnight. Brian was reported to be in stable but serious condition, pending further questioning by Gardaí to unravel the events leading up to the attack.

Background of the Victims

The couple, both seasoned chemical engineers, had recently retired. Brian had held a director position at PM Group, while Stella previously worked for Eli Lilly, returning to the company after a five-year career break.

• Stella Gallagher was also known by her maiden name, Stella Griffin.
• They have four children: one daughter and three sons.

Community Impact

Stella was originally from Ballinspittle in west Cork, and Brian hails from Blackrock, Co Louth. Neighbors and family members have expressed their shock over this act of violence. Their daughter, Ciara, a doctor residing in Australia, and their youngest son, Matthew, a student in Amsterdam, are en route to their family home.

Investigation Updates

The suspect, known to the Gallaghers, was arrested at the scene and taken to Bridewell Garda Station for questioning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, allowing detentions of up to 24 hours.

A postmortem examination was conducted by Assistant State Pathologist Dr. Margot Bolster, confirming the violent nature of the attack. Garda technical teams have been analyzing the crime scene, including the Gallagher residence and nearby areas, recovering evidence including a kitchen knife believed to have been used in the assault.

The investigation continues as the community reels from this heart-wrenching incident, marked by violence and loss.