SINCE THE START of this year, seven women have been killed on the island of Ireland.
Masuma Sohrabi became the fifth woman to be killed in the Republic of Ireland, while two women have been killed in the North so far this year.
Women’s Aid keeps a list of all the women killed in the Republic of Ireland since 1996, and 283 have died violently over this period.
Of this figure, 186 were killed in their own home, and 21 children have died during incidents where women were violently killed.
Women under 35 make up half of femicide cases in the Republic of Ireland.
Ellie Flanagan
Ellie (23) was described as a “well-loved and respected” young woman who “brought a lot of light and joy into this world”.
Her body was found at a house in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh by PSNI officers investigating a car crash.
Officers had been called to a collision on 7 March where they found the car, but the driver had left the scene.
Officers went to the house the car was registered to and discovered Ellie’s body.
A 45-year-old man has been charged with her murder.
Amy Doherty
Amy, aged 28, was a mother-of-two who was a “dedicated” care worker.
It was said that she lifted the spirits of patients at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry during the pandemic.
Her parents said “her bubbly character and fun-loving spirit lifted the hearts of all who met her” and they have been “crushed with disbelief, sadness and pain”.
She was found injured at a house in Derry on 21 March and later died in hospital.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with her murder.
Linda Costello
Linda died on 10 April, two weeks after she was assaulted at her home in Co Carlow.
Her laugh was said to have been “infectious” and Linda was described as a “great friend” who had a “heart of gold”.
A man in his 40s was arrested in connection with her death but later released, with a file to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Scarlett Faulkner
Scarlett (29) was left in a critical condition after she was attacked outside Birdhill village, north Co Tipperary, on 21 March.
On 12 April, her life support machine was switched off, and she died a day later.
Her funeral heard that Scarlett was “loved dearly” and that she had a “beautiful smile and loving personality”.
A 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl have been charged in connection with the fatal assault.
Milena Ostojic
Milena (65) sustained serious injuries at her home in Galway on 24 April.
She died in the early hours of 25 April.
Her son, 33-year-old Dubravko Ostojic, was charged in connection to her death.
The National Women’s Council of Ireland said Milena’s death was a “loss beyond comprehension”.
Yveta Donovalova
Yveta was stabbed at a home in Waterford City on 27 April.
The mother-of-three who was from Czechia but had been living in Waterford for a number of years.
She was rushed to hospital but died shortly afterwards from her injuries.
Neighbours said she was a hard worker, family orientated, and well-liked in the local community.
“Your home is meant to be safe spot and that’s the real shock and horror of the whole thing,” local Fine Gael councillor Jim D’Arcy told The Journal at the time.
Masuma Sohrabi
Masuma, an Iranian mother-of-two, was found dead on Thursday, 28 May.
It’s understood that she was stabbed and died of severe neck injuries.
A man has been arrested in connection with her death.
Masuma, (31) was found in the grounds of a hotel, Waterloo House on the outskirts of Clifden, which is currently being used as an IPAS centre.
She worked at a separate hotel in the town, and her children attended Scoil Mhuire in Clifden. The school paid tribute to her on Thursday.
“We are writing to our school community at an incredibly sad and difficult time,” the school said in a statement.
“We have become aware of the sudden and tragic passing of a member of our school family. Our hearts go out to her children, her family, and all those who loved her.”
Mahya Ostovar of the Iranian Diaspora Network in Ireland said Masuma’s death is “heartbreaking” for the Iranian community.
‘Every woman has a right to be safe’
In a statement to The Journal, Women’s Aid said it is today thinking of Masuma Sohrabi, as well as her loved ones, colleagues and community, particularly her two young children.
“Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent,” said Women’s Aid CEO Sarah Benson.
She noted that in 87% of cases which have been resolved, the woman was killed by a man known to them.
“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case,” said Benson.
“We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”
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- Women’s Aid 24-hour National Freephone helpline 1800 341 900
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
- Pieta: Call 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444
- Teenline: Call 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
- Childline: Call 1800 66 66 66 (for all under 18s)