Irish police have started a murder investigation and arrested a Dutchman in his 30s in connection with the killing of a woman in what appears to be a violent argument.

The body of a woman in her 50s was found at the scene of a “serious incident” at a home in the village of Kilnavart in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan on Saturday night, Irish police say. A man in his 60s was taken to hospital with serious injuries, where his condition is said to be stable.

According to local media the dead woman is Annie Heijneman and the injured man is her husband Henk. She was stabbed several times. He had left the house and gone to raise the alarm but was also attacked.

Irish media report that an attempt was made to set fire to the house but firemen rushed to the scene and managed to put out the blaze in time.

The Irish Sun says the suspect was arrested after walking into a local chip shop, covered in blood, and asking the staff there to phone the police. According to Dutch media, the suspect is the couple’s son.

The police are appealing for witnesses and those with information to come forward but they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attacks.

The couple and their five children have lived in Ireland for several decades. Annie was a popular person and the local community has been shocked by attacks, local media said.