Gardai probing if woman who died on ferry at Rosslare Europort was killed in violent drunken row as crime scene declared

GARDAI are investigating whether a woman who died on a ferry was killed during a violent drunken row. It’s understood the victim was part of a large group travelling on board the Stena Nordica which arrived in Rosslare, Co Wexford from Fishguard in Wales this evening.

The ship’s captain made an emergency call when violence broke out on board, sparking an enormous garda operation at Rosslare Europort tonight, where armed gardai and the public order unit met the ferry as it docked. It’s understood a man was arrested.

Local Fianna Fail councillor Lisa McDonald told the Irish Sun: “It’s dreadful, very shocking for everyone here and our thoughts are with the family of the victim. “Gardai and emergency services reacted very well and quickly, surrounding the port, but what can you say about something like this, when a life is lost?”.

There was a huge garda presence at the Co Wexford port this evening as the Stena Nordica docked and a crime scene was declared. Gardai were also joined by several members of the National Ambulance Service. Any violence was contained and gardai said tonight there are no public safety issues at this time.

Stena Line cancelled its Rosslare to Fishguard sailing tomorrow night following the incident. All passengers on tonight’s crossing were accommodated by Irish Ferries on their 8.45pm sailing from Rosslare to Pembroke. A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are currently at the scene of a serious incident onboard a passenger ferry en route to Rosslare, Co. Wexford this evening, Tuesday 25th February 2025.

“A crime scene has been declared. “While Gardaí conduct enquiries onboard, there are no public safety issues at this time.”. They later added: "Gardaí in Wexford are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman following an incident on board a passenger ferry en route to Rosslare, Co. Wexford this evening, Tuesday, 25th February 2025.

"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 deceased and her body remains at the scene. "A man was arrested in connection with the investigation and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region.

"The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination. "The Office of the State Pathologist and local Coroner have been notified. 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 (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been assigned to provide support and information to the deceased’s family. "Investigations are ongoing.". A spokesperson for Stena Line said: “An incident occurred this afternoon on the 14:00 sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare. This a police matter, so please direct all further questions to the gardaí.