Gardai are set to launch a full murder investigation after this popular piano teacher died following a brutal assault.
Gardai suspect tragic Louise Muckell, 54, who died on Wednesday, was left badly beaten on Tuesday before she was dropped back to her Co Limerick home and later discovered by a shocked relative.
After being rushed to hospital, Louise sadly died a day later, and now The Star understands that gardai are set to upgrade the investigation to that of a murder probe.
Read More: Gardai probe if 'lovely' Limerick woman was victim of vicious beating before death
Sources say the suspected attacker is believed to have driven her home in a serious state before abandoning her.
The development comes as Ms Muckell’s devastated niece Courtney spoke exclusively to us today, paying tribute to her as a woman with an “incredibly big heart.”
“She was my aunt. I’d just like to say that Louise had an incredibly big heart, and was very much loved by her siblings, nieces and nephews and family.
“She had a talent out of this world sitting at a piano and her voice would raise the roof off a building,” she said.
Courtney added that her aunt was a respected music teacher and was well known within the community.
“She was a music teacher, she brought local youth choirs to the national finals of the community games in Mosney in the 80s and was part of the RTE Philharmonic Choir at one point.
“She has too many achievements to mention,” she said.
“She loved her dog Rocco and her garden. She was a gentle soul. I would appreciate if my family are given privacy and respect at this time by the public and the media,” she added.
Local councillor Adam Teskey said: “My immediate thoughts are with the family and my sympathies to them. It’s tragic circumstances and something that we are not used to in this community.
“My heartfelt thoughts go out to the Muckell family and I would appeal for anyone with information to come forward to An Garda Siochana.”
Officers suspect that Ms Muckell may have been at an address in the Windmill Street area of Limerick City in the hours prior to her being discovered in a seriously ill state.
Gardai say that they had actually attended an incident in the area earlier that evening and that their enquiries now suggest that the deceased was there at that time.
A post-mortem examination has been conducted by State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster, which has assisted gardai in upgrading the case to murder.
In an appeal, gardai said they hope to speak to any persons who were in the Windmill Street area of Limerick City or the Cois Deel area of Rathkeale between Sunday, 17th July, 2022, and Tuesday, 19th July, 2022, and anyone who observed any activity which drew their attention, to come forward.
Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam and CCTV) of either area between these dates have also been asked to make this footage available to gardai.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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