LOCALS IN the north Co Dublin village of Howth were last night trying to come to terms with the news of a murder in their midst.
Shock and fear mingled with sympathy for the family of mother-of-one Celine Cawley, who was killed yesterday morning on the patio of her home near the summit of Howth.
The affluent area around Ms Cawley's home was quiet last night. People on the peaceful country lane with stunning sea views expressed their shock.
One neighbour said the victim would often walk her large dogs past his house and he knew her to see.
"The dogs always barked if you passed her gate," he said. He said there were no particular security concerns in the area and he knew of no robberies locally in recent times. Another local said Ms Cawley was active in the yacht club and kept horses.
"When I heard the news I phoned my mother from work and told her to lock the gates and the back door," he said.
Green Hollows Quarry, just off Windgate Road, was sometimes used at night for drinking and other activities, he said. His own car had been stolen, he said, and people in Howth were aware that at this time of year there were opportunistic robberies in search of Christmas presents.
However, a woman living nearby said she was not aware of any break-ins in the area recently. She said Windgate Road was particularly secluded.
"Even the neighbours wouldn't see each other from one end of the year to another," she said. "I hope they catch whoever did it."
Staff at the nearby newsagent did not know the family. "It's a bit scary that something like that could happen in this area," one staff member said.
Another local man said he was aware that something serious had happened that morning.
"There was a major fuss, I heard a helicopter overhead and then I saw an ambulance rush up the road followed by two police cars. I didn't know what was causing all the activity.
"I know of the woman, but not well; it's a terrible thing," he said.
Ms Cawley was founder of Toytown Films, a high-profile production house, where colleagues last night said they were stunned by her murder.
A spokesman for the firm appealed for privacy.
Local councillors have also expressed their shock.
Green Party councillor David Healy offered his sympathy to the family.
Fine Gael councillor Joan Maher said she was "stunned and shocked" by the attack.
"I know the area well . . . It's an absolutely lovely area which at the best of times is extremely quiet," she said.
"It's a dreadful tragedy to occur at any time but especially at Christmas," Ms Maher added.