Woman in her 80s who was found dead at her home described as 'an angel' by neighbours
The late Noreen Daly, photo courtesy of Chloe O'Mara
Noreen Daly, 81, was found in her home yesterday afternoon by gardaí. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Waterford News & Star spoke to her friends and neighbours in the Ardsallagh area. They all described her as a “kind-hearted” and “generous” person who was “very active in the community.”
Peter and Chloe O’Mara moved to the area in 2018. Peter began helping Noreen with her garden and thus a friendship blossomed.
“She sang at our wedding; she was an unbelievable opera singer,” Peter told the Waterford News & Star.
He continued that Noreen loved nature and that he “learned a lot from her about gardening.”
He explained that Noreen and her late husband, Micheal, bought a house in Ardsallagh around two decades ago and would spend their summers in West Waterford whilst spending the rest of the year in Dublin.
However, after her husband’s death in 2023 following a long illness, Noreen began to spend more time in Ardsallagh.
“We’re devastated,” Chloe told the News & Star.
“She was an angel, all she was missing was wings,” Peter added.
In a post on social media, the Clashmore and Kinsalebeg community page wrote, “She was very much involved in the local community and got involved in traditional music, Blackwater Opera Festival, Ardmore Choir, Tai Chi, Clashmore exercise classes to name just a few.”
They continued: “Noreen was 81 but she would not like to be described as elderly. She saw this move as the next stage of her life where she was going to carry on exploring and learning. Every day involved meeting her friends and doing new things.”
The post finished with, “She was a kind, caring and generous person who loved her and Mike’s extended family. All who knew her will feel this loss for a very long time.”
In a statement to the Waterford News & Star, TD for West Waterford Conor McGuinness said: “This is a deeply sad and shocking incident and my thoughts are with Noreen Daly and with her family, friends and neighbours as they come to terms with this terrible loss.”
He continued: “There has been a real sense of shock and concern in the local community over the past day. I welcome confirmation that a man has now been arrested in connection with the investigation.”
Local councillor, Pat Nugent, who is from the area, told the Waterford News & Star: “It’s a huge tragedy. There is now a darkness over this beautiful, idyllic place.”
He continued that he met Noreen on two occasions and was struck by how “she loved the little things, like wildflowers.”
A man in his thirties has been arrested in relation to her death.
He is currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station in the South Eastern Region.
Shortly after 2pm on Monday Gardaí found the woman - Noreen was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardaí are asking anyone with information to come forward, particularly anyone who was in the Ardsallagh or Youghal Bridge areas in recent days.
A spokesperson said: “Road users with camera footage, including dashcam recordings from the area, are also urged to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dungarvan Garda Station at 058 848600 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
