Gardaí have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 42-year-old Galway woman at her home.
A post-mortem carried out by deputy State pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis, on the body of Ms Ann Dooley of O'Conaire Road, Shantalla, proved inconclusive and further tests are being carried out to determine the cause of her death.
Gardaí had broken into the deceased woman's house shortly after 5 p.m. on Wednesday after they were contacted by a concerned friend who was unable to gain entry. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Garda spokesman said more tests, including toxicology tests, were being carried out and it would probably be a month before the results came back and the cause of death was known.
Ms Dooley, who lived alone, was last seen on Christmas Eve and there has been no sighting of her since.
"We are looking for anybody who saw her last movements and we are appealing to the public for anybody who has seen her since Christmas Eve to contact us. We need to find out who saw her last and where she was seen," said the spokesman.
He said they would be keeping an open mind until the test results arrived back. An incident room has been set up at Mill Street Garda station and can be contacted at 091-538071.
