Gardaí in Limerick have launched an investigation after a woman was found dead in the city.

The body of the deceased woman - named locally at 78-year-old Rose Hanrahan - was discovered by a relative at a house at New Road in Thomondgate at around 1.30pm today.

Her death is being treated as suspicious, and the house has been sealed off for a forensic examination.

The deputy state pathologist Dr Michael Curtis is expected to carry out a preliminary examination of the body tonight, before later conducting a full post mortem at University Hospital Limerick.

Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí at Henry Street.