Murder victim named locally
Husband in “serious but stable condition”; Man (30s) arrested
The women murdered at her West Cavan home on Saturday night has been named locally.
Mum of five Annie Heyneman (50s) was found dead at the family home on Derrycassan Lane, in the townland of Kilnavart near Ballyconnell, on Saturday night, January 11.
It is understood she was stabbed several times during a domestic incident.
Her husband Henk (60s), a native of Holland but who has lived in Cavan for several decades and worked as a porter at the nearby Slieve Russell Hotel, is in hospital having suffered injuries. His condition is described as “serious but stable condition”.
A man (30's) was arrested and is currently being detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at a Garda Station in the Cavan area.
He is believed to be known to the couple.
Being treated as “murder”, gardaí are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter.
The Heyneman's have been described as “popular” in the community, according to one person who knows the family.
That person told the Celt that locals are “devastated” by what happened.
Mrs Heyneman (neé McLoughlin) was known for her involvement in various different community efforts.
She was a past member of the Templeport Children's Playground committee and was also involved in helping organise events as part of the Bawnboy Community Festival.
“She was a lovely woman. They'd be popular people, Annie and Henk. Its just awful really. It is so hard to understand.”
A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and Family Liaison Officer (FLO) have meanwhile been appointed.
An incident room has been established at Cavan Garda Station and there is a public appeal for information that includes anyone who travelled in the area of Kilnavert of Ballyconnell last night, Saturday, January 11, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cavan Garda Station on (049) 436 8800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The man (30s) remains in custody this evening.
He was arrested at a “separate location” to the house where Mrs Heyneman was found dead and her husband seriously injured.
He is believed to have travelled to Ballyconnell town by car and entered a local takeaway premises, after which the alarm was raised shortly after 9:30pm on Saturday night. The man is understood to have been a regular customer and known to the owners of the Big Bite chip shop.
A call was made to gardaí and the man was arrested a short time later.
The county coroner was informed and the woman's body was conveyed to Cavan General Hospital this morning (Sunday, January 12) for post-mortem examination.
Members of the garda forensic unit attended the house earlier this afternoon.
The laneway leading to the Heyneman homeplace was blocked by gardaí as officers checked fields, drainways and along roadsides for a potential murder weapon.
An attempt had been made to set fire to the house also, but members of the Cavan Fire Service attached to Ballyconnell attended and were able to douse the blaze.