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Garda-killer Pearse McCauley was this afternoon arrested on suspicion of stabbing his estranged wife and former Sinn Fein councillor Pauline Tully-McCauley at her home.

Gardai have confirmed the arrest of McCauley in Cavan after the 2.30-3am incident from which his wife's wounds saw her hospitalised, thought to be with a punctured lung.

A Garda source said: "She is in a bad way. She has been taken to Cavan General Hospital."McCauley, a Tyrone native, was jailed in 1999 by the Special Criminal Court for the manslaughter of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in the course of an IRA armed robbery. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

The Garda Press Office said: "Gardaí in Cavan are investigating a serious stabbing incident which occurred at a house in Kilnaleck Co Cavan this afternoon (Wednesday 24 December 2014)

"A female in her late 40s received serious stab wounds as a result of this incident. She has been taken to Cavan General Hospital where she is being treated for her injuries.

"A man in his late 50s has been arrested in connection with this incident and is currently detained at Cavan Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 – Criminal Justice Act 1984. The scene at Kilnaleck is preserved pending a full Garda technical examination. Investigations are continuing."

Ms Tully-McAuley was considered a general election candidate by local party sources but told regional newspapers she was not interested and was concentrating on her children - both by Pearse McCauley.