A murder hunt is expected to be launched today following the discovery of the body of a young woman in the city centre yesterday (Tuesday) morning.

GRIM DISCOVERY: State Pathologist Marie Cassidy and the Garda Forensic Team arrive at the scene at Lough Atalia where the body of the young woman was discovered yesterday. Photo: Declan Monaghan

The body was found by a passerby in rough scrubland near the railway line between Lakeshore Drive, Renmore and Ceannt Station at approximately 9.30am yesterday. The female victim is believed to be a student in her late teens, originally from Switzerland.

The pathway beside the railway line, which includes a bridge over the water from Lough Atalia to Galway Bay, is a popular shortcut from the Renmore housing estate to the railway station and the city centre. The area has been the scene of several crimes over the years and two weeks ago, a young woman was indecently assaulted in the vicinity.

Although operations continued as normal at Ceannt Station, visitors were shocked by news of the discovery. One bystander described the sense of dismay to the Galway Independent at the scene:

"I've been here since about ten o'clock and when I arrived the garda? were already here. I'm very shocked; it is an awful thing to see. I was born and raised in Galway and I have never seen the like of it. It isn't safe to walk the streets these days," said the bystander.

State Pathologist Marie Cassidy and the Garda Technical Bureau carried out a forensic examination at the scene yesterday afternoon. The body was then removed to UHG for a post mortem examination.

Gardaí have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries in an effort to shed light on the crime. Superintendent Tom Curley, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that there have not been any women in this age group reported missing in Galway. He has appealed to anyone who may have been in the area of Lakeshore Drive between 4.30pm and 9.30am to contact the incident rooms at Mill Street station on 091-538070.

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