Mother killed near Clifden centre for asylum seekers named as garda probe continues
Gardaí are continuing to interview a man in connection with a fatal knife attack on a mother in Co Galway.The woman, named as Masuma Sohrabi, aged 31 and from Iran, was resident at an IPAS asylum accommodation in Clifden. She had two children, who attended Scoil Mhuire primary school in the coastal town.The suspect, who is aged in his late 30s, was known to Ms Sohrabi but they were thought not to have been on amicable terms in recent months.The man, an asylum seeker from the Middle East, is living in accommodation in Co Mayo. He may previously have lived at the same IPAS centre as the deceased.It is understood Ms Sohrabi had gone for a walk on Wednesday night but had not returned to the centre.When staff noticed she was not in her room they contacted gardaí.Responding gardaí found her body in a wooded area just outside the entrance to Waterloo House IPAS centre.She had suffered suspected knife injuries to her neck.Gardaí are examining mobile phones of both the victim and the suspect to see if there was any recent communication between them or if the suspect had been stalking or harassing her.Officers are also attempting to contact the deceased's family in Iran.The nearby Owenglen river was searched by the Garda Water Unit for evidence on Thursday.Following the woman's disappearance, sources said that the man was seen in Clifden "covered in blood" and with visible injuries. Allegations of domestic abuse had been made against the man by the victim previously, it is understood.Gardaí said they are following a definite line of inquiry and are not seeking any other person in connection with the incident.The scene was preserved for a forensic examination on Thursday.The results of an autopsy on the woman's body will help determine the course of the ongoing investigation, gardaí said.The coroner and State Pathologist have been notified.
