Gardaí have announced that they have started a murder investigation after the discovery of a woman's body at a rural location in Co. Cavan last night (Saturday, January 11), with an arrest having been made.

In an initial statement just after midnight, gardaí said that they had attended the scene of a serious incident which occurred at a domestic residence in a rural area near Ballyconnell.

Gardaí were alerted to the incident at approximately 9:30p.m last night.

The body of a woman was discovered at the scene.

Gardaí also confirmed that a man was seriously injured and brought to hospital for treatment.

The scene was sealed off in the wake of the incident.

Gardaí provided further details in a follow up statement this morning (Sunday, January 12).

In that update Gardaí confirmed that the women, who was aged in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene, and that a murder investigation has commenced.

The woman’s body has been conveyed to Cavan General Hospital for post-mortem examination.

The man, aged in his 60s, was conveyed to the same hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He remains in a serious but stable condition.

The scene has been preserved for technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Gardaí confirmed that an arrest has been made, with a man aged in his 30s being arrested at a separate location and detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at a Garda Station in the Co. Cavan area.

The murder investigation is being led from an incident room at Cavan Garda Station. A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and Family Liaison Officer (FLO) are set to be appointed in due course.

Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses and those with information to come forward.

Anyone who travelled in the area of Kilnavert, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, last night (Saturday, January 11), between 8:30p.m and 9:30p.m, is asked to provide gardaí with any available camera footage, including dashcam recordings.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cavan Garda Station on (049) 436 8800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.