A woman who was found dead in Gorey has been named locally as Paula Lawlor, a single mother in her 30’s.

She was found unresponsive at her home in Baile Eoghain at around 3am on Thursday morning by Gardaí and emergency services.

A man, also in his 30’s, has been released by Gardaí following his arrest in connection with the incident.

Independent Councillor for Gorey-Kilmuckridge Nicky Boland told Newstalk Breakfast that the incident has left Gorey in shock.

“There’s a doom and gloom over Gorey, five days out from Christmas with a very tragic accident that happened in the early hours of Thursday morning,” he said.

Pictured flowers at the scene where a 32-year-old woman was found dead in her home in Baile Eoghain, Gorey. Photograph: Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie. 19/12/2024

Cllr Boland said that Ms Lawlor was well-known locally. She lived in an estate in the centre of Gorey and was a single mother to her 12-year-old daughter.

“An incident like this shocks a town like Gorey to the core,” Cllr Boland said. “But it’s still a great town.”

“It’s still a country town, and people look out for each other whenever something like this happens.

“Paula was with neighbours, and I heard yesterday she always had a kind word, a smile. And the sad tragedy about this whole thing is there’s a 12-year-old child now that has no mother that’s going to be with her for the rest of her life.”

Cllr Boland said he believed that Ms Lawlor was an only child whose parents also died when she was young.