Crime

Woman found dead on Fishguard ferry as brawl erupts onboard

Published

11 months ago

February 26, 2025

A WOMAN has been found dead in the toilets of a Stena Line ferry sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare, sparking a violent brawl and a major emergency response at Rosslare Harbour on Tuesday (Feb 25).

Gardaí have launched an investigation into “all the circumstances” surrounding the death, which occurred aboard the 2:00pm sailing of the Stena Nordica. Officers were called to the vessel just after 5:00pm when it docked in Ireland, where a man was arrested in connection with the incident. He remains in custody under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in the Eastern Region.

FATAL DISCOVERY

The woman, understood to be a 40-year-old Irish national, was discovered unresponsive in a toilet cubicle on board and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was reportedly part of a group traveling to Ireland. The circumstances of her death remain unclear, and a crime scene has been declared. Her body was not removed immediately, as forensic officers carried out investigations overnight.

An autopsy is being carried out at Waterford University Hospital, and Gardaí have confirmed that the results will determine the course of their investigation.

BRAWL ERUPTS ONBOARD

It is understood a “violent incident” took place onboard the ferry prior to its arrival at Rosslare. Approximately 30 minutes before docking, the ship’s captain made an emergency call as tensions escalated. Witnesses say a violent confrontation erupted among a group of passengers, with Gardaí forced to intervene upon arrival.

Armed Gardaí and the Public Order Unit boarded the vessel as soon as it arrived at the port, sealing off the area as a crime scene. A number of ambulances were also deployed to the scene.

A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the inquiry, and a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been assigned to support the deceased’s family.

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

A Garda spokesperson confirmed: “Gardaí in Wexford are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman following an incident on board a passenger ferry en route to Rosslare, Co. Wexford this evening. Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly after 5:00pm and embarked the ship, which is currently docked at Rosslare Harbour. A woman was later pronounced deceased, and her body remains at the scene.”

The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination. The Office of the State Pathologist and the local Coroner have been notified.

LOCAL REACTION

Local councillor Ger Carthy, who attended the scene in his role as an ambulance officer, described the situation as deeply distressing: “There’s an air of shock and sadness here in Rosslare tonight over what unfolded on board the Stena Nordica. Regardless of the circumstances, at the centre of this is a woman who has lost her life, and the thoughts of the community are with her family.”

He praised the swift multi-agency response: “The speed and efficiency of the emergency services in handling such a serious incident show that the mechanisms are in place to react quickly when needed.”

SAILING DISRUPTIONS

Stena Line confirmed that services were severely impacted, with the 7:30pm sailing from Rosslare and the 1:30am sailing from Fishguard both cancelled as a result of the incident.

A spokesperson for the company stated: “An incident occurred this afternoon on the 2:00pm sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare. This is a police matter, so we are directing all further questions to the Gardaí.”

All passengers booked on the cancelled Rosslare to Fishguard sailing were accommodated by Irish Ferries on their 8:45pm service to Pembroke.

Passengers and crew members are expected to be interviewed as part of the investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

WERE YOU ON THE FERRY?

The Herald would like to hear from any passengers on board the Stena Nordica during Tuesday’s sailing from Fishguard. If you witnessed the events or have any information, please contact our newsroom via Facebook.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

4 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.

Crime

Drink-driver narrowly avoided collision in town centre

Published

48 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Motorist almost three times over legal limit

A DRINK-driver narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, was seen driving a Nissan X-Trail in Haverfordwest in the early hours of December 20 without headlights.

Police followed the vehicle, which narrowly missed a car and struck a kerb before being stopped.

Lloyd, of Adams Drive, Narberth, recorded a breath reading of 97 micrograms of alcohol, nearly three times the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 costs.