Woman found dead on Stena Line ferry to Rosslare; man released without charge
Mary Cash, 39, an Irish woman living in the UK, was found dead in a bathroom in a cabin of a Stena Line ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare on 25 February 2025, approximately 35 miles off the coast of Wexford. A man was arrested by Gardaí but released without charge, and the death is believed to be a personal tragedy rather than a violent death, with the investigation now proceeding for a Coroner's Inquest.
- Reported26 Feb
3 reports - Arrested25 Feb
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports47 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA woman was pronounced deceased on the ferry. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe man was aged 40 and known to the dead woman. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman was 39 years old with an address in Middlesex. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe deceased woman was 39 years old and named Mary Cash. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatMary Cash was Irish but living in the UK. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatShe was travelling with family and friends to a funeral in Co Kildare. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatAn emergency distress call was made from the ferry. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA woman was found dead in a bathroom in a cabin of a Stena Line ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe woman was named locally as Mary Cash. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMary Cash was 39 years old. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe was among a group of family and friends heading to a funeral in Co Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe ship was docked at Rosslare Harbour. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe ferry was en route to Rosslare, Co. Wexford. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred around 35 miles off the coast of Wexford. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened at around 5pm on 25 February 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe woman died aboard the ferry on the afternoon of 25 February 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, 25 February 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on Tuesday afternoon, 25 February 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA man was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe scene was preserved for technical and forensic examination. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe Office of the State Pathologist and local Coroner were notified. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA post-mortem examination will be arranged. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA Senior Investigating Officer was appointed to lead the investigation. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe man was released without charge before the 24-hour interview period expired. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA postmortem on the woman's remains was being finalised as the man was released. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA Garda family liaison officer continues to engage with and support the family of the deceased. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn armed Garda presence at the port was precautionary only. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA crime scene was declared as the ferry docked at the Co Wexford port and underwent forensic examination. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe man arrested in connection with the death has been released without charge. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA post mortem on the deceased woman has been completed. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA large number of gardai boarded the vessel when it docked. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA file is being prepared to assist with a Coroner's inquest. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThere is no investigation into any other alleged public order incidents on the ferry. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe post mortem results are not being released for operational reasons. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA Garda Family Liaison Officer continues to engage with and support the family. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA Garda Senior Investigating Officer will supervise completion of an investigation for a file to assist a Coroner's Inquest. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA man was arrested by Gardaí in connection with the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man was released from detention without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí do not believe the woman suffered a violent death. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOfficers suspect her death was a personal tragedy. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA post mortem examination on the deceased woman has been completed. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA Garda Senior Investigating Officer will supervise the completion of an investigation for a Coroner's Inquest. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána is not investigating any other separate alleged Public Order Incidents on board the ferry. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe inquest will be carried out under a coroner to determine the cause of death only. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo Stena Line ferries were cancelled as a result of the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe death is being treated as a personal tragedy. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherMary Cash was Irish but living in the United Kingdom. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Feb2025Man arrested in Rosslare ferry incident investigation released without charge
First report of the death of Mary Cash on the Stena Line ferry; man arrested and released without charge; post mortem completed; investigation to proceed for Coroner's Inquest.
victim, Mary Cash, 39, female, Irish, irishMary Cashsuspect, male - 26 Feb2025Man arrested in connection with Rosslare ferry death released after post mortem
Confirms the man was released without charge after the post mortem was completed; death treated as a personal tragedy; file being prepared for a Coroner's inquest; no investigation into other alleged public order incidents on the ferry; post mortem results not released for operational reasons.
victim, Mary Cash, 39, female, Irish, irishMary Cashsuspect, male - 26 Feb2025Rosslare ferry: Gardaí release man questioned after woman’s death
Confirms the man was released without charge before the 24-hour interview period expired, postmortem was being finalised, the death is not being treated as a crime, Garda inquiries are limited to inquest information gathering, no public order issues arose on the ferry, and two Stena Line sailings were cancelled.
victim, 39, femalesuspect, 40, male - 25 Feb2025Man arrested in connection with death of woman on ferry
Initial report of the man's arrest; provides the full Garda statement detailing Section 4 detention, scene preservation, notification of the State Pathologist and Coroner, and appointment of an SIO and FLO.
victim, femalesuspect, male