Loving tributes paid online to murder victim who was 'an icon of Nenagh'

Tributes to Nenagh murder victim Josephine Ray have been pouring out online over the past two days as the investigation to determine the elderly woman's killer continues. 

In a post on Facebook her grandson, Daniel Ray O’Brien, expressed his love for his grandmother: "My poor poor poor granny I loved you so much. God please let there be justice. The system failed her too many times please don't let it happen during her death too."

In a piece published by the Irish Mirror earlier today speaking about the trauma of finding his grandmother's body, Daniel said “I felt a lot of rage and I felt like the system let my grandmother down. The justice system as well as the county council. My grandmother was so afraid to say it herself. We tried our best to act on her behalf. This could have been well prevented months ago,” he said. "I feel she was failed by the State. It would 100 per cent have been prevented." 

Local people who knew Josephine have taken to social media to post messages of condolence:

"I can't believe it ..she was such a lovely lady." 

"She was a gem always said hello to me and my kids."

"Joan was a massive addition to the park and town she will be dearly missed."

"Absolutely heartbreaking, a great Nenagh character gone and in such a horrific way."

Local councillors Cllr Ryan O'Meara and Cllr Seamus Morris have also offered condolences.

“Anyone who spent any amount of time around Nenagh town or walking around the streets knew Joan at least to see her if not knew her personally. Really one of the absolute characters of the town. A very glamorous lady." said Cllr O'Meara on Tipp FM.

Cllr Morris posted on social media "Rest in peace Joan . If everyone in the world was as nice as Joan we would have a perfect well dressed world."

The investigation is still ongoing with Gardai appealing for anyone who was in the St Joseph's Park area between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon and may have noticed anything suspicious to contact them.