Detective were last night quizzing a man and woman on suspicion of murdering a mum and using her home to store their drugs.
Sources have told the Irish Mirror the pair, who are both in their 30s, are suspected of preying on Lisa Thompson – and forcing her to mind their stash of illegal narcotics.
Gardai are working on the theory that the 52-year-old was stabbed to death at her home in Ballymun, North Dublin at the start of May after she had a row with two people.
Read more: Duo arrested in connection with murder of Ballymun mum Lisa Thompson
Officers have been investigating for weeks after the body of Mrs Thompson was found at her home in Sandyhill Gardens on May 10 – and made arrests yesterday.
It’s understood there is a significant amount of evidence in the case – including hours of CCTV footage that has helped gardai focus their enquiries. The Irish Mirror has established that gardai have also recovered forensic evidence from the murder scene and have downloaded all the data from the victim’s mobile phone to look for evidence.
The Irish Mirror previously revealed that a small time drugs gang used the victim’s home a store for their stash before her murder. Investigators believe the gang knew Mrs Thompson was vulnerable and got her to hold tablets in her North Dublin home.
It is understood the man and woman arrested yesterday are suspected of having had significant previous dealings with Mrs Thompson.
Gardai probing the horrific murder – in which the popular mum of two was repeatedly stabbed – are convinced Mrs Thompson knew her killer – and her death was not a stranger murder carried out by an intruder. They also discovered a significant amount of tablets hidden in the attic of the property, which officers believe belonged to the gang.
Investigators believe her death is linked to members of that group.
Read more: Gardai renew appeal for help to solve 1987 murder of Clondalkin woman
Mrs Thompson, who was well-known in the area is thought to have recently developed her own addiction to prescription tablets and the gang that supplied her is now the focus of the investigation. Although Mrs Thompson had two children, they were staying with their father at the time of the murder.
A Gardai spokesman said: “The man and woman are both detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at separate Dublin Garda stations.”
Officers have up to 24 hours before the couple must either be charged or released.
Read next:
- First picture of mother-of-two stabbed up to 12 times in Ballymun
- Ballymun community left 'in shock' after woman found dead at house
- Body of woman found in 'unexplained circumstances' in Ballymun
- Lisa Thompson remembered as 'friendly and caring' at emotional funeral mass
- Gardai closing in on killer of Ballymun mam Lisa Thompson as family prepare to lay her to rest
