Case No. 2605Murder · Co. Westmeath · 28 Dec 2024
Man in his 30s arrested on suspicion of murder over death of Mirjana Pap in Athlone
A man in his 30s was arrested on 3 January 2025 on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of Mirjana Pap, 58, a Croatian woman who went missing from Athlone, Co Westmeath, on 28 December 2024 and whose body was found on land in Roscommon the following Monday. A post-mortem at University Hospital Galway established she died from an assault, and the case was upgraded to murder on New Year's Eve.
- Reported29 Dec
7 reports - Arrested1 Jan
2 reports - Charged3 Jan
2 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports132 statements extracted from the articles
- what58-year-old Mirjana Pap was reported missing from her home in Athlone, Co. Westmeath on Saturday, 28 December (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMirjana is described as approximately five foot eight inches tall with a medium build, white hair and brown eyes (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí are investigating the death of a woman in her 50s whose body was found on a property in Co Roscommon. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMirjana Pap, 58, was reported missing from her home in Athlone on Saturday, 28 December. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman was formally identified as Mirjana Pap, a Croatian woman. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí suspect Mirjana Pap was killed and her remains taken to a field in Co Roscommon where a crude effort was made to conceal them. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe postmortem results confirmed Ms Pap had been the victim of violence. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí believe Ms Pap let her killer into her home in Athlone on Saturday morning where they launched a savage attack on her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAfter the murder, the killer put her body in a car and drove it to remote farmland on the Westmeath/Roscommon border. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe killer dumped her remains in a drain on the farmland before leaving the area. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused is 31 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was a mother of three (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was originally from Croatia (irishtimes.com)
- whatNebojsa Pap, 31, was charged with the murder of his mother Mirjana Pap (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMirjana Pap was 58 and originally from Croatia (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMirjana Pap was a mother of three (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMirjana Pap was a widow (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMirjana Pap worked at the Athlone accommodation centre (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe replied 'Yes' when cautioned and processed (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe had no reply to the charge before being handed a copy of the charge sheet (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was on social welfare (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMirjana Pap was 58 years old. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMirjana Pap was from Croatia. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereShe was reported missing from her home in Athlone, Co Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car is understood to have travelled from Beechville estate, Athlone onto the N6 motorway westbound from junction 11 to junction 13. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe car then continued on the R362 from Monksland to Bealnaulla. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMirjana Pap's body was found at Curraghaleen on the Westmeath/Roscommon border on Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereShe was reported missing from her home in Athlone, Co Westmeath on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car is understood to have travelled from Beechville estate, Athlone onto the N6 motorway west bound from junction 11 to junction 13 before continuing on the R362 from Monksland to Bealnaulla. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereHer remains were discovered on Monday about 10km away in a field in Curraghaleen, Co Roscommon. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car was driven from Beechville estate in Athlone on to the N6 motorway westbound from junction 11 to junction 13, then on the R362 from Monksland to Bealnaulla. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe remains of Ms Pap were found near Clonark in Co Roscommon on Monday morning, two days after she was last seen. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe body was found in a ditch on remote farmland. (irishtimes.com)
- whereGardaí believe the car was driven from the Beechville estate of Athlone onto the N6 motorway westbound from junction 11 to junction 13, then on the R362 from Monksland to Bealnaulla. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe victim resided at Beechville, Athlone, Co Westmeath (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe body was found on bogland at Curraghaleen outside the town (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe accused also lived at Beechville, Athlone (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder took place at her home in Beechville, Athlone, Co Westmeath (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHer body was found on bogland at Curraghaleen outside Athlone (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHe was charged at Athlone Garda Station (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe suspect is detained at a Garda station in the Meath/Westmeath Division. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMirjana Pap was reported missing from her home in Athlone, Co Westmeath. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHer body was found on land in Roscommon. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMirjana was last seen in Athlone in the early hours of Saturday morning (irishmirror.ie)
- whenShe was last seen in Athlone in the early hours of Saturday morning. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe car was of interest on Saturday 28 December 2024 between 11am and 12 noon. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMirjana Pap was reported missing from her home in Athlone, Co Westmeath on Saturday 28 December. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí want to pinpoint the car's movements between 11am and noon on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenShe was reported missing later on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenGardaí are keen to pinpoint the car's movements between 11am and noon on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe victim was reported missing two days before her body was found (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe accused was arrested on Friday (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on 28 December at the victim's home (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on 28 December 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenShe was reported missing two days before her body was found (irishmirror.ie)
- whenHer body was found on a Monday (irishmirror.ie)
- whenNebojsa Pap was arrested on a Friday (irishmirror.ie)
- whenShe was reported missing on Saturday, 28 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenHer body was found on Monday, 30 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeA post-mortem at University Hospital Galway established Ms Pap died from an assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeGardaí suspect she was violently attacked in her home early on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe post-mortem confirmed Ms Pap had been the victim of a violent attack. (irishtimes.com)
- causeShe died from an assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí and Mirjana's family have serious concerns for her well-being and have appealed for information on her whereabouts (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe appeal was stood down on Monday following the discovery of her body. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA property in Athlone was sealed off on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe sealed property was the focus of a forensic examination. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA postmortem examination is due to take place. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe postmortem will likely determine the course of the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí seized two cars for examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationExaminations are underway at the scene and at a residential property in Athlone by the Garda Technical Bureau. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe woman's body was removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Galway for a post-mortem examination by the Deputy State Pathologist. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA senior investigating officer has been appointed and an incident room established at Athlone Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA family liaison officer has been assigned to provide support to the family. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí appealed for anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact authorities. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed for the public's help tracing a silver Peugeot 207 in the Athlone area. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe car of interest is a silver Peugeot 207 with registration 08G. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA post-mortem was underway at University Hospital Galway on Tuesday evening. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation into Mirjana Pap's death is ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA house in Athlone was sealed off and two cars were seized as part of the probe. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe search for Mirjana Pap was called off early on Monday when a body was found. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí have begun a murder investigation into the death. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí appealed for information about the movements of a silver 2008 Galway-registered Peugeot 207 on Saturday between 11am and 12pm. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn incident room has been established at Athlone Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo cars have been seized for examination. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda team is following several strong lines of inquiry and a person of interest has been identified. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believe she had concerns for her safety at the time of her death and are exploring that factor. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHer home in Athlone was also sealed off for examination. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationNo arrests have been made to date. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo vehicles have been seized by gardaí and were undergoing technical examination on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA postmortem was carried out by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCarthy at Galway University Hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn incident room was established in Athlone Garda station with a senior investigating officer appointed to lead the team from the Meath-Westmeath Garda division. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe area was sealed off following the discovery, as was a house in Athlone, and officers seized two cars. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationLocal Gardaí are being assisted by detectives from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe chief suspect was expected to be questioned about the killing as early as Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA bench warrant had been issued for the suspect over an unrelated alleged offence and had been executed, resulting in his detention. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn incident room was established at Athlone Garda station with a senior investigating officer appointed to lead the team. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA senior investigating officer was appointed to lead the investigation (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn incident room was established at Athlone Garda Station (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA post-mortem was carried out at University Hospital Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe suspect is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe local Coroner has been notified. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe accused was charged at Athlone Garda Station (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at a special late sitting of Mullingar District Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody with an order for medical and psychiatric attention (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP had authorised the accused to be charged (irishtimes.com)
- courtLegal aid was granted to the accused (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at a special sitting of Mullingar District Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in custody (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAn order was made for medical and psychiatric attention (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDefence solicitor Mark Cooney made applications for psychiatric attention and legal aid for a pathologist (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe woman was born in Croatia. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMirjana Pap was Croatian-born. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMirjana Pap was approximately 5 foot 8 inches tall with a medium build, white hair and brown eyes. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMs Pap was originally from Croatia but had been living in Ireland since she was in her 30s. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe suspect had failed to turn up in court over an unconnected offence and was on the run when Ms Pap was killed. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect had previously made threats to kill Ms Pap and she had expressed concerns for her own safety. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe bench warrant was issued after he failed to turn up in court in Athlone on an unrelated offence around a fortnight before the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect denied knowing where Ms Pap was when asked about her disappearance. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí are interested in the movements of a silver 08G registered Peugeot 207 on 28 December 2024 between 11am and 12 noon. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMs Pap was described as approximately 5 foot 8 inches tall with a medium build, white hair and brown eyes. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMs Pap had fears for her own safety in the period before her murder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Pap was a widowed mother of adult children. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Pap was originally from Croatia and had lived in Ireland for about two decades. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí suspect she was murdered in Athlone and her body was moved to the discovery location. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence solicitor is Mark Cooney (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused was on social welfare (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused was dressed in a grey tracksuit (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Jan2025Man, 30s, arrested on suspicion of murder over death of Mirjana Pap
Reports the arrest of a man in his 30s on suspicion of murder, details the missing person timeline, the post-mortem findings, and the detention under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, non-irish (judged from name)Mirjana Papsuspect, 30s, male - 3 Jan2025Man, 31, charged with murdering his mother Mirjana Pap
Names the suspect as Nebojsa Pap, 31, and confirms he was charged with murder at Athlone Garda Station and remanded in custody at Mullingar District Court. Provides details on the victim's background (Croatian, widow, mother of three, worked at Athlone accommodation centre), court proceedings, and that a GoFundMe for funeral expenses reached €23,000.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, non-irish (judged from name)Mirjana Papaccused, Nebojsa Pap, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nebojsa Pap - 3 Jan2025Man charged with murder of his mother Mirjana Pap (58) in Co Roscommon
Names the accused as Nebojsa Pap, 31, confirms the murder charge at Athlone Garda Station, details his court appearance at Mullingar District Court where he was remanded in custody with medical and psychiatric attention ordered, and notes he was on social welfare and granted legal aid.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, non-irish (judged from name)Mirjana Papaccused, Nebojsa Pap, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nebojsa Pap - 2 Jan2025Suspect in Mirjana Pap murder expected to be questioned after being detained on unrelated matter
Provides details on the suspect's detention via a bench warrant for an unrelated offence, the post-mortem findings, forensic examination of the home, seizure of two vehicles, and a public appeal to track a silver 08-G-registered Peugeot 207 between 11am and noon on Saturday along the N6 and R362.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, non-irish (judged from name)Mirjana Papsuspect, male - 1 Jan2025Suspect in murder of Mirjana Pap was on the run when she was beaten to death
Adds that the suspect was on the run over an unrelated bench warrant issued around a fortnight before the murder, had previously threatened to kill Ms Pap, and that Gardaí believe the killer drove her body in a car to farmland on the Westmeath/Roscommon border. Confirms the case was upgraded to murder after a post-mortem at University Hospital Galway, and that the suspect is in custody but not yet charged with the murder.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, Croatian, non-irishMirjana Papsuspect, male - 1 Jan2025Gardaí believe Mirjana Pap (58) was murdered before body dumped in remote field
Provides investigation details: post-mortem confirmed violence, person of interest identified, two vehicles seized for technical examination, appeal for witnesses to track silver 08-G Peugeot 207 between 11am and noon on Saturday, Gardaí exploring whether Pap had safety concerns, and NBI aiding the Meath-Westmeath division team.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, non-irish (judged from name)Mirjana Pap - 31 Dec2024Gardaí begin murder investigation after discovery of body of woman (58) in Co Roscommon
Reports the discovery of Mirjana Pap's body in Curraghaleen, Co Roscommon, the formal start of a murder investigation, and details of the Garda appeal for dash-cam footage of a silver 2008 Galway-registered Peugeot 207, including the specific routes and time window.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, Croatian, non-irishMirjana Pap - 31 Dec2024Gardai appeal for help tracing this car in probe into death of woman, 58
Adds a specific Gardaí appeal for dash-cam footage and sightings of a silver Peugeot 207 (08G) on a defined route (Beechville estate, N6 westbound J11–J13, R362 Monksland to Bealnaulla) between 11am and 12 noon on 28 December 2024. Confirms the post-mortem was underway at University Hospital Galway, that two cars and a house in Athlone were sealed off/seized, that NBICI is assisting, and provides a physical description of Mirjana Pap.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, Croatian, non-irishMirjana Pap - 31 Dec2024Gardai probing discovery of woman's body on lands near Athlone seize two cars
Adds details on seizure of two cars, Garda Technical Bureau examinations at the scene and a residential property in Athlone, appointment of an SIO, establishment of an incident room at Athlone Garda Station, and assignment of a family liaison officer.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, non-irish (judged from name)Mirjana Pap - 30 Dec2024Gardaí investigate woman’s death after body found in Co Roscommon
Earlier report on the discovery of the body and initial investigation, preceding the arrest of the suspect recorded in case 2605.
victim, 50s, female, non-irish (judged from name) - 29 Dec2024Gardaí concerned for wellbeing of missing 58-year-old Athlone woman
Initial Gardaí missing person appeal describing Mirjana Pap's physical appearance and expressing serious concerns for her well-being, with contact details for Athlone Garda Station and the Garda Confidential Line.
victim, Mirjana Pap, 58, female, non-irish (judged from name)Mirjana Pap