Woman’s body is found in toilet on ferry as huge brawl breaks out on board Wales-Ireland

A woman was found dead in a toilet on a ferry sparking a violent brawl to break out on board, it has been reported.

The body was found on the Stena Nordica which arrived at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford at around 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Stena Line confirmed the incident happened at 2pm with the ship’s captain making an emergency call for assistance at around 5pm as it approached Rosslare sailing from Fishguard in Wales.

Sources told the Irish Mirror that the woman was discovered in a ferry toilet and was later pronounced dead at the scene by police.

A man has since been arrested in connection with the woman’s death and is being questioned by police. 

One witness described the incident as ‘extremely shocking’ as armed gardaí and the public order unit were called to the scene, the Irish Independent reports.

The woman’s body remains at the scene for forensic examination as police continue to investigate.

The ‘public order incident’ described as a ‘brawl’ is understood to have broken out following discovery of the woman.

The body was found on the Stena Nordica which arrived at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford at around 5.30pm on Tuesday

Stena Line confirmed the incident happened at 2pm with the ship’s captain making an emergency call for assistance at around 5pm

The woman’s body remains at the scene for forensic examination as police continue to investigate

Gardaí said they are looking into ‘all of the circumstances’ around the death as they await the results of the post-mortem to determine the cause of death.

A witness told the Mirror the gardai response was ‘massive’ as they were joined by a large National Ambulance Service presence to create a ‘ring of steel’ around the port.

Local councillor Ger Carthy, who attended the scene as part of his role as an ambulance officer with the National Ambulance Service, said: ‘There’s an air of shock and sadness here in Rosslare tonight over waht unfolded onboard the Stena Nordica. 

‘The specifics are subject to a garda investigation at this stage, the outcome of which we’ll learn in the fulness of time. Regardless, at the centre of it is a woman who has lost her life and the thoughts of the community here are with her famiily.’ 

A garda spokesperson said emergency services were alerted to the ‘serious incident’ on the Stena Nordica on Tuesday evening. 

‘A woman was later pronounced deceased and her body remains at the scene,’ they said. 

‘A man was arrested in connection with the investigation and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the eastern region.

‘The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination.’ 

Gardaí said they are looking into ‘all of the circumstances’ around the death as they await the results of the post-mortem (file photo) 

A garda spokesperson said emergency services were called to the Stena Nordica shortly after 5pm on Tuesday and went on board the ship (file photo) 

Stena Line confirmed the incident occurred on the 2pm ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare (stock photo)

The spokesperson added: ‘The office of the State Pathologist and local coroner have been notified.

‘A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course, the outcome of which will determine the course of the investigation.

‘A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and a family liaison officer has been assigned to provide support and information to the deceased’s family.’

A spokesperson for Stena Line said: ‘This is a police matter, so please direct all further questions to the Gardaí,’ the spokesperson added. 

A sailing from Rosslare to Fishguard was cancelled following the discovery of the woman’s body.