A woman whose body was found in an apartment in Cork, Ireland, on New Year's Day has been named by police as 28-year-old Bruna Fonseca. A man continues to be questioned by Irish police after he was arrested following the discovery of Ms Fonseca, who reports say showed signs of being beaten and strangled.
Brazilian-born Bruna had only recently moved to Ireland in search of a fresh start. She was attacked following a night out with friends from the large Brazilian community in the city. She had been celebrating New Year’s Eve for the first time in Ireland, having only arrived from her native country in September.
Ms Fonseca had been working as a contract cleaner in the Mercy Hospital in Cork and had posted pictures of herself and pals celebrating the New Year on her social media pages shortly before she was killed. The hospital has paid tribute to the young woman who had only been working at the Mercy for a short time.
The Mercy said in a statement: “On behalf of management and staff at Mercy University Hospital Cork and Bidvest Noonan’s Contract Cleaners we are saddened and shocked at the tragic and unexpected death of Bruna Fonseca. Even though she was only working for a short time for the company at the hospital she was considered a hard and diligent worker and an esteemed colleague.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her friends in Cork, and her family and friends in Brazil. May she rest in peace.”
A police spokesperson said: “Garda in Cork continue to investigate the death of 28-year-old Bruna Fonseca whose body was discovered in a residential property on Liberty Street, Cork City.A post-mortem examination has been completed by Dr Margot Bolster, Office of the State Pathologist, the results of which are not being released for operational reasons.
“Investigating gardai continue to detain a man aged in his 20s arrested this morning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at Bridewell Garda Station, Cork. The investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and a Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed to liaise with the family of the deceased. Divisional Scenes of Crime officers are continuing to examine the crime scene which remains sealed off.”
