Murder investigation launched

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation following the death of a Brazilian woman whose body was discovered at an apartment in Limerick city. Jady Cristine Pereira Rosa, 33, was found unresponsive at an apartment in the Carlton House complex on Cecil Street at around 7.30am on Friday. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí confirmed on Saturday afternoon that a murder investigation had been launched, with investigators currently 'following a line of enquiry'. A Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to support the family of the deceased, while the scene remains preserved and a technical examination is being carried out by the Garda Technical Bureau. A Senior Investigating Officer has also been appointed to lead the investigation, with an incident room established at Henry Street Garda Station.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212400.

Postmortem and investigation details

The State Pathologist carried out a postmortem on Ms Pereira Rosa's body, which confirmed she died a violent death. Gardaí said they were not releasing the results of the postmortem for "operational reasons" but it is believed she had been stabbed. It is understood investigators are seeking to question a man, known to the dead woman, as part of their murder inquiry.

Ms Pereira Rosa had been living and working in Limerick for the past number of years. It is understood she was working with a cleaning company in Limerick and had many friends in the area.

Community response and fundraising

The death has prompted an outpouring of grief from members of Limerick's community, with local councillor Elisa O'Donovan paying tribute to Ms Pereira Rosa. In a post on Facebook, Cllr O'Donovan described her as a 'valued and loved member' of Limerick's 'wonderful and diverse' community. "Yesterday she was found dead in our city, a city she called home and should have felt safe and protected in," she wrote. "I am thinking of all her friends and family today." Cllr O'Donovan also said she had placed a tribute at Ms Pereira Rosa's home on Lower Cecil Street. "Her death in her home in our city will not be forgotten," she added.

An online fundraising campaign has been set up to help pay for the repatriation and funeral of Ms Pereira Rosa. A GoFundMe fundraiser to help towards the repatriation of her remains to her hometown in Brazil as well as her funeral costs had raised almost €4,000 of its intended €16,000 target by Sunday morning.

A message posted by the fundraising campaign read: "Today we come together for a reason no one should ever have to face. Our dear Jady, a Brazilian who was living in Limerick, Ireland, had her life tragically taken. In this moment of immense grief, we want to help her family give her the dignified farewell she deserves in her home country, surrounded by the people who love her."

The message added: "Jady's employer will cover the cost of transporting her body from Ireland to Brazil. However, there are still important expenses that must be covered so she can be transported from the airport in Sao Paulo to her hometown, as well as the costs of her wake and burial." "Any contribution, no matter the amount, will make a difference and will be a meaningful gesture of kindness and solidarity with her family during this incredibly difficult time," it said.

The investigation remains ongoing.