A WOMAN IN her 40s has died and a teenager has been arrested following a “violent” incident in Co Offaly this afternoon. 

The incident happened at a residential property in a rural area outside of Tullamore at around 1pm.

The woman was known to the boy, and she suffered severe injuries during the attack. Gardaí described the incident this afternoon as “violent” and said they are not looking for anyone else.

The attack was also filmed, and footage of it was subsequently shared on social media.

An Garda Síochána said they are aware that images from this incident are circulating on social media and messaging apps and appealed to “any person who receives these images not to share the content”.

The scene is currently being preserved ahead of a forensic and technical examination.

Independent TD for Laois-Offaly Carol Nolan expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the victim’s family.

“Violence of this nature is always a traumatising and shattering event, and I can only imagine what they are going through,” she said.

“The community will be deeply shocked and saddened by this tragedy. I want to fully support the work of the Gardaí in their efforts to establish the facts.

“My prayers are with all of those impacted by this terrible and dreadfully distressing event.” 

Fine Gael Councillor in Tullamore Neil Feighery said the community will “rally around” the impacted families in the wake of the tragedy.

“We are, as a community, in absolute shock. We are still coming to terms with the news and we’re waiting to hear from An Garda Siochana but the reports are truly shocking,” he said.

“My thoughts and prayers are genuinely with the family impacted by this terrible, terrible, terrible tragedy.”

With reporting by Niall O’Connor, Stephen McDermott and the Press Association.