Murder probe expected to be launched following postmortem on woman killed in Cork

Olivia Kelleher

A murder investigation is expected to be launched in Cork following the completion of a postmortem examination on the deceased woman.

The postmortem examination is set to be conducted this afternoon at Cork University Hospital.

The 59-year-old woman, and her 62-year-old husband, named locally as Stella and Brian Gallagher, were attacked by a man known to them. The man was armed with a knife.

The incident started within their home shortly after 9pm yesterday. Brian Gallagher suffered his injuries in the driveway of their property.

His wife, Stella, managed to run to the Green area close to her home. She was stabbed in this area.

It is understood the young man possibly attempted to get in to a neighbouring house in the aftermath of the stabbing incident.

Gardaí were called to Shrewsbury Downs at around 9.15pm. Concerned neighbours in the quiet, mature estate had raised the alarm.

Neighbours also exchanged messages about the incident on a community What’s App group.

The Armed Response Unit (ASU) attended at the scene. Members of the ASU managed to get the knife out of the hands of the man.

The man, who is in his 20s, is being detained for questioning at a garda station in Cork city. He can be held for up to 24 hours. The knife used in the incident has been retrieved by gardaí.

The scene was preserved for examination by the Cork City Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit. Two houses and the green were cordoned off by gardaí.

The Gallagher family are well liked and respected in the park which consists of detached red brick houses. Mr Gallagher remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

In an interview with Newstalk, Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the death of the 59-year-old woman as “very, very sad news for the neighbourhood.

“And I live in that neighbourhood. This is totally unexpected, and I can only think of the family and friends of the family who have been impacted by this awful incident.”

Two red brick houses and the green area at Shrewsbury Downs remained cordoned off on Tuesday morning for a technical examination. There is a Garda presence at the scene.

Two neighbours chatting by the green area declined to comment on the incident other than to describe it as a tragedy for the family.

Shrewsbury Downs is a quiet, mature area off the Ballinlough road on the southside of Cork city.

A local man told Paul Byrne of 96FM that he was shocked at what had unfolded in their quiet neighbourhood.

“It is frightening to think that it could happen on your doorstep. That you could look out your window and see people lying out there. Especially when you have young kids living here and playing out on the green here. It is frightening that the value of life is diminishing.”

The man said that he wasn’t at home when the incident took place. He became aware of the unfolding situation when his wife contacted him.

“She was ringing. Other neighbours were ringing, leaving messages to stay indoors for now.”

Another neighbour said that "it was great to see" the gardaí responding very quickly to the incident.

“We are shocked. We have never ever seen anything like this,” the neighbour added.

A local woman said that it was “shocking” to see such a tragedy hit the area in the run-up to Christmas. She said that violent deaths were “happening too often.”

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

The spokesperson said: “Anyone who was in the Shrewsbury Downs area of Ballinlough between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Monday 17th November 2025, and who may have camera footage (including home security and dash-cam footage) is asked to provide this footage to investigating gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Anglesea Street Garda Station on 021 452 2000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.”