Sister hails 'breakthrough' in 12-year-old murder case

Irene White

Tom Brady and Chai Brady

The sister of Irene White, who was brutally murdered almost 12 years ago, has spoken of her hopes for justice following the arrest of a man.

The suspect, who is in his 30s, was detained by gardaí at his home outside Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, yesterday morning.

Ms White (43) was stabbed 14 times in the chest and back, and suffered serious throat injuries during the savage assault in her two-storey detached home, known as the Ice House, in Dundalk, on April 6, 2005.

Gardaí described yesterday's arrest as a breakthrough in their lengthy investigation.

Ms White's sister Anne Delcassian told the Irish Independent: "I really hope that they have got the right man. The family are absolutely delighted that progress has been made."

The man was arrested and taken for questioning to Dundalk garda station.

Leads

He had not come under Garda suspicion previously - but following a review of initial inquiries by members of the cold case unit, a fresh investigation was launched 18 months ago.

This resulted in fresh information emerging as gardaí interviewed witnesses and new leads were pursued, and three people were arrested.

Gardaí were working on the basis the killer had been hired to murder Ms White.

The frenzied attack took place in the kitchen of her home on Demesne Road as she tidied up the kitchen after breakfast.

Her body was found on the kitchen floor by her mother, Maureen McBride.

She lived in a mobile home in the garden and regularly called in for a cup of tea with her daughter.

Ms McBride died the following year, on Ms White's birthday.