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An Garda Síochána

Murder investigation opened into death of Joanne Lee

Earlier today, gardaí confirmed that a post-mortem was being carried out after her body was found in Ranelagh.

Updated 4.50m

GARDAÍ SAY THEY have opened a murder investigation into the death of missing Dublin woman Joanne Lee.

Her body was found in a house in Ranelagh yesterday, days after she had been reported missing.

A post-mortem by the State Pathologist took place this afternoon.

It is understood that the man who was found to the rear of the property where Joanne Lee’s body was located was her estranged husband.

It was Joanne Lee’s husband who had reported her missing.

The missing woman’s family had reported the 38-year-old’s disappearance a few days ago, and a public appeal had been launched.

She was found after gardaí were called to the house at 92 Ranelagh Road in Dublin just before 4pm yesterday. Her body was discovered inside a wardrobe. Gardaí found her unresponsive, and medical assistance was given to her, however she was pronounced dead at the scene.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

A man in his 30s, understood to be her estranged husband, was taken to hospital from the scene after he fell from a third-floor window.

Gardaí said today that he does not have life-threatening injuries, but does have “serious injuries consistent with a fall from a height”.

A garda from Mountjoy helped him with his injuries and may have helped save his life, gardaí told reporters today.

Appeal 

Joanne has access to a silver Nissan Micra, 08 MH 16073. Gardaí are appealing today for anyone who may have seen her in that car since 5 February to contact them.

Police also appealed to the public or friends who may have seen Joanne Lee since 5 February to get in touch.

Her uncle John Curry told RTÉ News last night: “She been missing for a few days. We knew something was up, we just couldn’t put it together. We were searching… everyone.”

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Donnybrook Garda Station on 01 666 9200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

With reporting from Garreth MacNamee and Cormac Fitzgerald

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59 Comments
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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Feb 16th 2018, 6:56 AM

    Condolences to her family, her siblings posted on this site looking for help earlier in week brought home the desperation of it all. Tragic. Rip Joanne

    1607
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    Mute cortisola
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    Feb 16th 2018, 3:02 PM

    @Chewey Bacca: Remember her sister desperately looking for her on forum here, real tragic but seems like there was something in the air before all happen. Very sad, my sincere condolence to family and fiends.

    120
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    Mute Lucy 
    Favourite Lucy 
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    Feb 16th 2018, 7:10 AM

    My heart is breaking for Joanne’s Family and friends at this very sad time. God bless them all. Rip Joanne

    641
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    Mute Ray Farrell
    Favourite Ray Farrell
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    Feb 16th 2018, 7:04 AM

    Lord rest her soul, thoughts are with family and friends at this time. RIP

    504
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    Mute Dee on Doc
    Favourite Dee on Doc
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    Feb 16th 2018, 6:57 AM

    The worst outcome imaginable. Her poor family.

    606
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    Mute Ed King
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    Feb 16th 2018, 8:45 AM

    Awful outcome. Condolences to her family.

    301
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    Mute Kate Flaherty
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:15 AM

    Devastating for family and friends, may they have the strength, courage, comfort and support they need at this hour, R.I.P.

    140
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    Mute Niamh Smith
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    Feb 16th 2018, 8:20 AM

    Dreadful news, the poor woman. RIP Joanne.

    297
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    Mute Dave Power
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    Feb 16th 2018, 11:16 AM

    Rest in Peace, Joanne Lee

    117
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    Mute Amy Wearen
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    Feb 16th 2018, 9:15 AM

    dreadful :(

    141
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    Mute Eleanor of Aquitaine
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    Feb 16th 2018, 9:53 AM

    RIP

    103
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:43 AM

    I hope that Dick yesterday who posted that he had taken her to Swords ! Trolling is very proud of himself today

    353
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    Mute Dlow Brown
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:45 AM

    @Shane Freeney: what’s the sick posters name so I can be aware of said troll?

    85
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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
    Favourite Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Feb 16th 2018, 11:50 AM

    @Shane Freeney: he wasn’t the only one..another one said that she was 90% sure the poor girl had taken a flight to New York ..sick altogether..

    161
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    Mute OMG!
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:05 PM

    @Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: The dick was ’Tomas’… subsequently deleted his profile. As for the person stating they had seen the person on a flight… as I’d warned the deceased brother yesterday via the comments … stick with official sources ONLY. A sad ending.

    83
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    Mute Gemma
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:14 PM

    @OMG!: it was I who said I said i was 90% sure as I had checked in a lady who was her double and same name .. no one was been sick but I was actually hoping it was her rather then this been the outcome … amazing how people can twist things behind a keyboard .. unfortunately it’s the worst case that could possibly happen , it’s a comment section not a Garda notification section. I was hoping it was that young woman. It’s sick that you would try turn a comment of hope into something extremely negative and nasty.

    158
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    Mute Ciara Baines
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:17 PM

    @Gemma: If you were 90% sure you checked her in for a flight to New York you tell the Gardaí who investigate it. You don’t put it in the comments section on a news article for family and friends to see giving them false hope.

    252
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:25 PM

    @Ciara Baines:
    But but how else would I get likes?

    83
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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:26 PM

    @Gemma: backtrack much ??

    33
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    Mute Gemma
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:31 PM

    @Ciara Baines: I guess I didn’t think that this was going to be the outcome . And I thought it would be helpful and yes I did inform the Garda. I didn’t think it was false hope I thought it was hope. This would put people off trying to help in future , getting roasted for making a comment with only concern in mind. Im done with making any more comments people are vultures on this

    105
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    Mute Gemma
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:42 PM

    @P.J. Nolan: now thats a sick comment I never comment on the journal but seriously people only think of others the way they would think themselves. It’s about a poor Girls life here and anything to troll and to ridicule other people. I’m getting off the journal the type of people on this and the mindset are sad hostile individuals who need to live life a bit happier.

    104
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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:43 PM

    @Gemma: no it doesn’t put people off because anybody who genuinely wants to help would contact the gardai…not post a one liner on a forum.

    49
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    Mute Gemma
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:45 PM

    @Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: seriously your a sad individual trying to arg

    45
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:51 PM

    @Gemma: It wasn’t you I was referring too. It sounds like you were genuine

    44
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    Mute Michael Casserly
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    Feb 16th 2018, 1:21 PM

    @Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: Come down off your pedestal before you get dizzy!

    40
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    Mute Tomas
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    Feb 16th 2018, 1:29 PM

    @Shane Freeney: I genuinely thought the photograph of lady was the same person I brought to swords,I also notified the Garda..80% now i was caught between minding my own business or helping someone in need of help…my condolences to all the family.

    77
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    Mute Anthony Davoren
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    Feb 16th 2018, 1:46 PM

    @Gemma: you in fact probably put anyone with relevant information off by posting that comment as they would assume that the woman had in fact boarded a flight to New York and they’re info was now not important. Stick to giving info to the authorities. What actual basis had it on a public forum. You speak of giving hope…oy do so when u can confirm it’s accurate unlike this occasion.

    24
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    Mute Aural Abuse
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    Feb 16th 2018, 1:57 PM

    @Gemma: Dead right, the comments section here is a sad indictment of todays “keyboard warrior” and troll society.

    55
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    Mute cortisola
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    Feb 16th 2018, 3:43 PM

    @Aural Abuse: Agree. There is not much to said on this thread now except expressing sympathies. If people want to argue, better go somewhere else…

    24
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    Mute Kappa
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    Feb 16th 2018, 7:57 PM

    @Gemma: you did your best and did what you considered right at the time. Hindsight is a great thing. The comments being made to Gemma are bang out of order.

    33
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    Mute Jengis O'Can
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    Feb 16th 2018, 8:34 PM

    I posted a broad comment about missing persons under The Journal’s initial report about Joanne RIP being missing, which was not in any way specifically directed at Joanne’s instance of being missing.
    It was later misinterpreted by other commentors, including her brother Ger Ball and sister Jennifer Ball, as being “smart” during their family’s worrying time – which was never my intention.

    I am not that sort of person, as all who know me know. I utterly apologise for my unintended insensitivity.

    In fact, my original broad comment expressed my concerns, for those genuinely concerned about missing relatives, being too easily dismissed in their concerns by the public and Gárdaí (I suffered the same dismissiveness by a Station Gárda when I was personally caught up in a missing teenager case).

    When I found out last night that Joanne had been found dead, I was devastated – absolutely devastated.
    I immediately lit a candle in my home, saying prayers for her repose and for her family – and asking for forgiveness for my unintended but apparent insensitivity.
    My prayer over the lit candle was “May Joanne Rest In Peace and give her family strength to bear with this horrible outcome”, shedding quite unexpected tears as I did so.

    I know this is no comfort to Joanne’s family at this time – but I kept the candle burning in my home ’till bedtime – and it’s burning again this evening.

    Mór mo bhrón (My sorrow is great).

    74
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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Feb 16th 2018, 9:35 PM

    @Jengis O’Can: nicely put ..try not to beat yourself up over it .

    24
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    Mute Jengis O'Can
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:27 PM

    @Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: Thank you. Grief is hard to deal with. Have been through it a few times, each one different from the other and so each sense of grief is unique.
    My candle is still burning in my home tonight in anonymous token-shared grief with Joanne’s family’s grief.

    15
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    Mute Dlow Brown
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:36 AM

    RIP Joanne

    78
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    Mute Soupy Gargler
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    Feb 16th 2018, 4:48 PM

    Joanne was a lady. A lovely lovely person who will be sorely missed by all that encountered her.
    R.I.P.

    78
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    Mute FrustratedASDMum
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    Feb 16th 2018, 6:27 PM

    @Soupy Gargler: I saw your comments earlier on during the week. I’m so sorry for your loss. From what I read, Joanne seems to be a lovely lady who was much loved. RIP Joanne xx

    53
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    Mute FrustratedASDMum
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:31 PM

    @Soupy Gargler: are you OK?

    5
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    Mute Gemma
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    Feb 16th 2018, 12:18 PM

    Condolences , awful news , beautiful lady rip.

    83
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    Mute Gerry Murphy
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:16 AM

    Terrible news for any family, RIP

    67
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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    Feb 16th 2018, 2:36 PM

    The reason laws exist is to keep society in order. Too many people posting comments seem to think that it’s ok to post the first thing that comes into their heads.
    Crimes have to be investigated , arrests made, evidence gathered , court appearances and finally if proven sentence handed out. The general public have no role whatsoever interfering and coming up with theories of what may or not may have happened.
    May Joanne Rest in Peace and sincere condolences to her family on this terrible tragedy.

    56
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    Mute Frank McGlynn
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    Feb 16th 2018, 2:52 PM

    There may well be a criminal trial in this case. I am surprised that the Journal is allowing comments especially the one above that is jumping to conclusions.

    46
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    Mute Michael Glasheen
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    Feb 16th 2018, 7:14 PM

    Why this is left open for comments is beyond me.

    38
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    Mute Jengis O'Can
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:19 PM

    @Michael Glasheen: Because the Journal has reported on an awful tragedy – and because the family used the Journal’s comments facilities to appeal for help finding her which touched us all – and because most of us want to express condolences to the family.

    Do you really need any more excuses as to why The Journal has left it open to comment????

    Until this tragic event becomes “sub-judice” (i.e. under judgement of a court), people are free to comment. As is the Journal to accept comments until then.

    10
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    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
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    Feb 16th 2018, 1:27 PM

    This is awful news i feel so so sorry for the family of this beautiful young woman who’s life has been cut so short my deepest condolences to them at this dreadfully sad time.

    May Joanne Rest In everlasting Peace.

    44
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    Mute Siobhan Mckenna
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:13 AM

    Oh god this is horrible!! I can’t even begin to image what her family are feeling I only saw the post from a relative the other day reaching out to anyone with information. The amount of people who tried to stay positive for the family in hope she would just show up.. and then to discover it could be a person close that caused her death and where they discovered her, a wardrobe, disgusting and just so heart breaking!!!!

    125
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    Mute Eóin Ó Raghallaigh
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    Feb 16th 2018, 6:20 PM

    Absolute tragedy..poor poor woman condolences to the family at this awful time!sleep tight joanne r.i.p

    21
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    Mute Mr Jerry Curtin
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    Feb 16th 2018, 10:46 AM

    Awful, let us hope her death is not in vein. #toointoyou

    21
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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Feb 16th 2018, 1:43 PM

    @Deborah Behan: can you wait wait until it’s official at least ….

    41
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    Mute Felicity Hensen
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    Feb 16th 2018, 2:13 PM

    @Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: You’re so right. Let’s wait until it’s officially announced that another woman has been murdered by an intimate partner. And when it’s announced, what we should do is say we have to wait to talk about intimate partner, specifically male on female, violence, because we’re being disrespectful to the woman and her family. Joanne has lost her life needlessly. Joanne’s family have lost her presence in their lives needlessly. But yes indeed. Let’s wait.

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    Mute David Irwin
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    Feb 16th 2018, 4:53 PM
    17
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    Mute Thomas McGilly
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    Feb 16th 2018, 6:10 PM

    @Deborah Behan: I knew your man hating self wouldn’t be far away from this awful, horrific story, hijacking it to spread your twisted ideology. It’s not for this story, just leave well alone and wait for another, more appropriate time. Decency shouldn’t be beyond even you.

    33
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