A man in his 40s has appeared at Castlebar District Court in connection with the murder of a woman in Co Mayo.

The body of 41-year-old Valerie French Kilroy was found at a house in the Kilbree Lower area of Westport on Friday morning.

A post mortem was completed on the body on Saturday afternoon at Mayo University Hospital.

Following the examination by Acting State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan, Gardaí said a murder investigation was underway.

However, they added that details are not being released at this stage for operational reasons.

Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have been in the Kilbree Lower area between 12.00pm Thursday and 12.00pm Friday, and who may have information, to contact the incident room at Castlebar Garda station on 094-9038-200, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line at 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.

Main image: Undated photo of Valerie French Kilroy | Image: Supplied