Gardaí have opened a murder investigation after a woman in her 30s was stabbed to death in Dundalk, Co Louth.

A man in his 40s was arrested and is being held at Dundalk Garda Station.

The stabbing occurred at an apartment on Linenhall Street at around 2.45pm this afternoon.

The 31-year-old woman was brought by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where she was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out tomorrow.

The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examinations.

The woman is believed to originally be from Lithuania.

An appeal for information has been issued and gardaí are looking to speak to anyone who witnessed the assault to contact them.

They are specifically looking for anyone who may have witnessed the stabbing at the entrance to the Bridge Water Mews apartments on Linenhall Street.

Gardaí have also appealed to drivers who may have dash cam footage to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042-9388400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.