Estranged husband attacked woman with axe, set house on fire, and drowned himself

The Garda, or Irish Police (Image: Getty)

A woman is in serious condition in hospital after a brutal axe attack by her estranged husband, who was on bail for a prior assault on her. The man, aged in his 50s, broke into her home, assaulted her, set the property ablaze, and drowned himself in a nearby reservoir shortly afterwards.

The incident occurred in the quiet Oaklawn West estate just after 5.30 am on November 24. Gardaí and firefighters were alerted to a residential blaze and quickly extinguished the flames, which had caused significant damage to the upstairs of the house. The as-yet unnamed woman, in her 50s, was found with severe injuries, including multiple axe wounds and substantial blood loss, and was immediately transported to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin. Medical sources have described her condition as serious, though there is cautious optimism for her recovery.

The assailant had previously been granted bail ahead of a court date in March 2026. He was charged with assault causing harm – an offence punishable by up to five years' imprisonment – and criminal damage after previously smashing her glasses during an altercation at the same address.

Investigators believe he forced entry to the property, struck her repeatedly with an axe-like implement, hurled her down the stairs, doused the house with an accelerant, likely petrol, and set it alight before escaping.

At about 6am, the Garda Water Unit retrieved his body from Leixlip Reservoir, less than a kilometre away along the N4. Authorities have ruled out foul play, classifying the death as suicide, and confirmed no further suspects are being pursued.

The house remains cordoned off for forensic analysis, with the probe now focusing on a coroner's inquest rather than criminal charges.

Oaklawn West in Leixlip (Image: Google Maps)

An Garda Síochána issued a statement outlining the response: "Gardaí and emergency services attended an incident at a house in Oaklawn West, where a residential fire was extinguished.

"A female (aged in her 50s) was treated by emergency services and conveyed to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown for treatment of serious injuries.”

They issued a witness appeal: "Any persons who were in the areas of Oaklawn West, Leixlip, the N4, and the Leixlip Reservoir between 5:30am and 8:00am and who may have video footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leixlip Garda Station on (01) 666 7800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."

Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene to the Irish Independent. One neighbour witnessed the woman "running bleeding from the burning house," screaming for assistance as the fire raged.

Another recounted: "She was covered in blood and soot," highlighting the unprecedented violence in the "typical middle-class estate.”

Cllr Rupert Heather, Mayor of Celbridge-Leixlip, labelled the events "tragic," offering condolences to both families and commending the swift action of emergency services.

This case highlights mounting worries about domestic violence in Ireland, coinciding with a separate assault in Clondalkin on November 25, where a 43-year-old woman was doused in petrol and set alight at her Oak Downs home, suffering critical burns possibly linked to a minor drugs debt.

An incident room operates at Leixlip Garda Station, with officers committed to a comprehensive inquiry. As the survivor battles her injuries, attention shifts to the circumstances that precipitated this fatal escalation.

**Whatever you're going through, you can call the Samaritans free at any time from any phone on 116 123. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You can also email **jo@samaritans.org