Gardai raced to the home of murdered mum Valerie French Kilroy after a naked man claimed he had killed her.
The suspect had been detained after gardai found him wandering near the house at Kilbree, Westport, Co Mayo.
It's understood he admitted to gardai he had killed mother-of-three Valerie.
Officers then learned there were three children at the house at the time and sped to her home fearing the worst.
Tragically they found Valerie murdered but her children had been unharmed.
A source said: "Gardai in the area were alerted to this man walking around in distressed state.
"He was arrested and taken to the Garda station where he claimed he had killed Valerie.
"Teams of officers were dispatched to the house immediately.
"Valerie was found shortly after 10am. A post mortem will most likely take place today (Saturday) but this is a murder case.
"The man was then arrested in connection with her murder and is being detained at Castlebar Garda Station."
It's believed Valerie's three children, a boy, five, and younger twins, were in her bungalow at the time of the murder.
Her body remained at the scene on Friday evening as the home underwent a forensic examination.
A garda spokeswoman confirmed that investigators are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
She added: "The family of the deceased woman has been notified and a family liaison officer has been appointed. The Garda investigation is ongoing.
"An incident room has been established at Castlebar Garda Station.
"Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone who can assist with this investigation are asked to contact Castlebar Garda station on 094 9038200 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666111."
