A woman whose body was found dumped in a drain on a remote farm had been beaten to death, police have confirmed. Gardaí found the body of Mirjana Pap on Monday afternoon, some 48 hours after she went missing from Athlone. A post-mortem is underway at University Hospital Galway, but sources confirmed Gardaí are satisfied the 58-year-old was killed before being dumped in a drain in farmland at Curraghaleen, Clonark, Co Roscommon.
It is understood she expressed concerns for her safety in the weeks before her death and it is understood she was afraid of a man known to her. Originally from Croatia she suffered severe head injuries in the attack, the Irish Mirror reported. Officers are yet to make an arrest over the death, but a person of interest who was known to the victim is in custody on an unrelated matter. The force said in a statement: “The investigation is ongoing and Gardaí are appealing to the public for information.
“Gardaí are particularly interested in the movements of a silver 08G registered Peugeot 207 on Saturday 28th of December 2024 between 11am and 12 noon. The car is understood to have travelled from Beechville estate, Athlone onto the N6 motorway (west bound) from junction 11 to junction 13 before continuing on the R362 from Monksland to Bealnaulla.
“Motorists who travelled along these routes within this timeframe are asked to provide Gardaí with dash-cam footage. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Athlone Garda Station on 090 649 8550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”.
