Tributes paid to woman (81) after body found in Co Waterford
Olivia Kelleher
Tributes have been paid to a “kind, caring and generous” 81-year-old woman whose body was found at her home in Ardsallagh near Youghal Bridge in Waterford on Monday afternoon,
Noreen Daly was a widow who lived alone following the death of her husband, Michael, in 2023. She was pronounced dead at the scene, which was preserved for forensic examination.
Her body was taken to University Hospital in Waterford, where a postmortem examination will be carried out. The results of the postmortem will determine the course of the investigation.
A man in his 30s has been detained for questioning in connection with the death of Daly.
He is being held at a Garda Station in Waterford under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. It is understood he may have been known to the deceased.
In a statement online, Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council said that they were “stunned” to hear of the death of Daly.
“Noreen and her late husband, Michael, had a home in Ardsallagh overlooking the Blackwater for the last 25 years. After Michael's death in 2023 following a long illness, Noreen spent more time in Ardsallagh and earlier this year sold her house in Dublin to live here permanently.
She was very much involved in the local community and got involved in Traditional music, Blackwater Opera Festival, Ardmore Choir, Tai Chi, Clashmore exercise classes to name just a few.
Noreen was 81 but she would not like to be described as elderly.
She saw this move as the next stage of her life where she was going to carry on exploring and learning. Every day involved meeting her friends and doing new things.
She was a kind, caring and generous person who loved her and Mike's extended family. All who knew her will feel this loss for a very long time.”
Meanwhile, in an update on social media, Waterford Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness said his thoughts were with the deceased and her loved ones at this sad time. He asked that her family be given time and space to "come to terms with her loss."
Noreen, whose maiden name was Murphy, lived in Monkstown in Dublin for many years. Her late husband was a native of the area.
The couple did not have children.
A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established a Garda Station in Waterford.
A Garda Family Liaison Officer has also been appointed to support the family of the deceased.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, in particular those who were in the Ardsallagh or Youghal Bridge areas in recent days. Road users with camera footage, including dashcam recordings from the area, are also urged to come forward.
Checkpoints were in operation in the area last night.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dungarvan Garda Station at 058 848600 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing.
