LAST UPDATE | 26 Feb 2025

A STENA LINE ferry remains docked at Rosslare Europort today after an incident on board yesterday in which a woman died and a man was arrested. 

Gardaí confirmed that a “serious incident” took place aboard the ferry and armed gardaí responded to a call for assistance by the ship’s captain. 

The incident took place on yesterday’s 2pm sailing from Fishguard in Wales to Rosslare on board the Stena Nordica ferry. 

The ferry remains docked at Rosslare with the return sailing at 1.30am this morning not taking place. 

It is believed that the captain of the ship made an emergency call for assistance following the discovery of the woman’s body.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly after 5.00pm and embarked the ship, which is currently docked at Rosslare Harbour.

A woman was later pronounced dead and her body remains at the scene, which has been preserved for technical and forensic examination.

A man was arrested in connection with the investigation and is currently detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region. He remains in custody this morning. 

It is understood that the woman’s body was found in a room to the side of a public area onboard the ship.

She was deceased and it is believed the man who was arrested was found near her. It is not known what visible injuries, if any, the woman had on her body. 

It is also understood that a largescale row broke out between people who were on the ship after the body was discovered. 

Gardaí said a post mortem examination is currently being carried out at Waterford University Hospital, the results of which will determine the nature and course of the investigation.

They are not investigating any separate public order incidents on board that ferry sailing.

The 7:30pm sailing from Rosslare to Fishguard was cancelled yesterday as a result of the incident.

Today’s 08:30am sailing from Rosslare and return from Fishguard at 2pm have also been cancelled.

“At this time, Stena Nordica’s next expected departure will be at 19:30pm from Rosslare,” a Stena Line spokesperson said.

The Office of the State Pathologist and local Coroner have been notified and a garda spokesperson said that a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course, the outcome of which will determine the course of the investigation.

A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and a Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to provide support and information to the deceased’s family.

A garda spokesperson previously stated that there are were no public safety issues following the incident. 

With reporting from Niall O’Connor and Rónán Duffy