Ireland Garda investigation into fatal incident in Portlaoise
On Sunday 5 July 2026, a woman in her 50s, named locally as Adina Raluca Constantin, was pronounced dead at a home on Church Street, Portlaoise, Co Laois, after being stabbed in a row, according to reports. A man in his 70s was arrested at the scene and is known to her, and gardaí said they were not looking for other suspects. Reports on 7 July 2026 said Eugen Constantin (72) had been charged with the murder of his wife and remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison by Judge Andrew Cody. His solicitor said that, because of the nature of the charge, bail could not be sought in the District Court and would instead be sought in the High Court.
- Reported5 Jul
- Arrested1 Jul
2 reports - Charged1 Jul
2 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A woman in her 50s, named locally as Adina Raluca Constantin, was found dead following an assault at a house in Co Laois.
- Where
- The incident happened at the couple's home on Church Street, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
- When
- Gardaí and emergency services were called shortly after 12.30pm on Sunday 5 July 2026.
- Cause
- The woman was understood to have been stabbed in a row.
- Other details
- The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and her body remained there while gardaí examined it.
- The victim was originally from Romania, had lived in Ireland for 15 years and worked in a medical clinic in Portlaoise.
- The defence said the accused is being treated for cancer and other medical conditions.
- Investigation
- A man in his 70s was arrested at the scene and was detained at a garda station.
- Gardaí believe the arrested man is known to the woman and are not looking for other suspects.
- A senior investigating officer was appointed, an incident room was set up at Portlaoise Garda Station, and forensic scientists gathered evidence at the scene.
- Gardaí appealed for witnesses and for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them, and a postmortem examination is to be carried out.
- Charges
- Reports on 7 July 2026 said Eugen Constantin (72) had been charged with the murder of his wife, Adina Raluca Constantin.
- When charged and cautioned, the accused replied that he understood.
- In court
- Judge Andrew Cody remanded the accused in custody to Cloverhill Prison, and he is due to appear before Portlaoise District Court.
- An interpreter was engaged for the case, and the solicitor, Philip Meagher, said bail would be sought in the High Court rather than the District Court because of the nature of the charge.
42 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA woman in her 50s, named locally as Adina Raluca Constantin, was found dead. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA woman was found dead following an assault at a house in Co Laois. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe woman, aged in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at the couple's home on Church Street, Portlaoise. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at a house on Church Street. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at a house on Church Street, Portlaoise. (thejournal.ie)
- whereGardaí and emergency services were called to a domestic residence on Church Street in Portlaoise. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Church Street in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on Sunday 5 July 2026. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident happened shortly after 12.30pm on Sunday. (thejournal.ie)
- whenGardaí and emergency services were called shortly after 12.30pm on the previous day. (thejournal.ie)
- whenEmergency services were called shortly after 12.30pm. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe fatal incident in Portlaoise took place on the afternoon of 5 July 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe woman was understood to have been stabbed in a row. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí said that when charged and cautioned, the accused replied that he understood. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí said investigations into the fatal assault are ongoing. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA man in his 70s was arrested at the scene and is being detained at a garda station. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe the arrested man is known to the woman and are not looking for other suspects. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationForensic scientists were at the scene gathering evidence. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí have appealed for witnesses and for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to make contact. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA postmortem examination will be carried out. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí remain at the scene. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationAn incident room has been established at Portlaoise Garda Station. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating the fatal incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí set up a cordon and are carrying out an examination at the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeEugen Constantin was charged with the murder of his wife. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeA man has been charged in connection with the fatal assault of a woman in Portlaoise. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA Romanian interpreter was engaged for the case. (thejournal.ie)
- courtBecause of the nature of the charge, the solicitor could not apply for bail in the District Court and would apply to the High Court instead. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Andrew Cody remanded the accused in custody to Cloverhill Prison. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe accused is due to appear before Portlaoise District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe defence said the accused is being treated for cancer and other medical conditions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe woman was pronounced dead at the scene. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe victim has been named locally as Adina Raluca Constantin. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe victim was originally from Romania, had lived in Ireland for 15 years and worked in a medical clinic in Portlaoise. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe woman was originally from Romania and had lived in Ireland for the last 15 years. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe woman was working in a medical clinic in Portlaoise. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA man in his 70s was arrested at the scene. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA body remained at the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Jul2026Major Garda investigation into fatal incident in Laois
Brief initial report of the Church Street, Portlaoise fatal incident. It gives no victim details, cause of death, suspect or arrest; it says the reporter will add more later.
- 1 Jul2026Man (70s) arrested as woman (50s) found dead following assault in house in Portlaoise
Adds that a man in his 70s was arrested at the scene and is being detained, that a senior investigating officer has been appointed, that an incident room has been set up at Portlaoise Garda Station, and that gardaí are appealing for witnesses.
victim, 50s, femalesuspect, 70s, male - 1 Jul2026Woman stabbed to death in Portlaoise named locally as Adina Raluca Constantin
Names the victim as Adina Raluca Constantin, says she was stabbed in a row, gives her Romanian origin and work at a medical clinic, and reports the man arrested at the scene is in his 70s and known to her, with gardaí not looking for other suspects.
victim, Adina Raluca Constantin, 50s, femaleAdina Raluca Constantinsuspect, 70s, male - 1 Jul2026Man charged over fatal assault of woman at house in Portlaoise
Reports that a man in his 70s has been charged and is due before Portlaoise District Court, names the victim locally as Adina Raluca Constantin, and gives her background. The accused is not named in this article.
accused, 70s, malevictim, Adina Raluca Constantin, 50s, femaleAdina Raluca Constantin - 1 Jul2026Eugen Constantin (72) charged with murder of his wife Adina Raluca Constantin in Portlaoise
Identifies the accused and the victim, reports the murder charge and the remand in custody, and says the solicitor will seek bail from the High Court. It follows the earlier garda report of a fatal incident at Church Street, Portlaoise, on 5 July.
accused, Eugen Constantin, 72, male, namedEugen Constantinvictim, Adina Raluca Constantin, 50, femaleAdina Raluca Constantin