A grandmother was killed by someone she knew when a row got out of hand, gardai fear.
Angela Canavan, who was in her 50s, was found dead at her Sligo home last week and yesterday a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
A source said: “This was not a stranger attack. It is a tragic case.
READ MORE: Tributes for mum in Sligo death probe describe her as 'gentle' woman with a 'twinkle in her eye'
“It was an argument between two people who knew each other and it escalated to the deceased being attacked. It is unlikely the other person intended to murder her.”
The suspect was brought to a Garda station last night where officers can quiz him for 24 hours before he must be released or charged.
Sources told the Irish Mirror detectives are satisfied Ms Canavan, who had suffered head injuries, knew her killer.
They also said they believed she let the culprit into the house in St John’s Terrace where she was allegedly attacked.
A Garda spokesman said: “Officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a woman’s body in Sligo on May 1.
“A postmortem was conducted, the results of which are not being disclosed for operational reasons.
“Gardai arrested a male in his 30s on suspicion of murder. He is currently in detention at a station in the North Western Region.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sligo Garda station on 071 9157000, the Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any station. Inquiries are ongoing.”
The Irish Mirror has established the postmortem was inconclusive – but gardai are satisfied the victim was assaulted.
Officers initially suspected Ms Canavan, who was originally from Keenagh, Co Mayo, had died as a result of a fall in the property she had rented for more than five years.
She was well-known in Sligo with locals saying she was regularly seen out walking her Jack Russell Millie.
Neighbours expressed their shock at her sudden death.
Her next-door neighbour Ann Byrne said: “She was a very quiet lady. She was always walking her dog. I saw her yesterday morning.
“We heard nothing last evening until we saw the ambulance and the Garda cars.
“You’d never hear a sound from her. She used to give us sweets and we’d throw logs in over the wall to her. She was a perfect neighbour.”
Another elderly neighbour, who did not wish to be named, added: “She was a lovely person. She loved doing the garden.
“I saw her on St Patrick’s Day with her daughter-in-law and two granddaughters.
“I saw her yesterday after 2pm with her dog.”
Ms Canavan’s death notice said she was “deeply missed by her loving son Nigel & wife Claire, son Keith & partner Paul & their father Freddie.
“Also by grandchildren Sophia and Amelia, sister Bernie, brothers John, Thomas and Raymond, nephews nieces relatives and friends.”
Hundreds of people attended the funeral mass for Ms Canavan on Saturday.
Her death notice said the mum-of- two will be cremated at a future date.
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