Crime & Law

Gardaí release four of six people detained over murder of Willie Moorehouse in Bray

Father-of-six believed to have been set upon by armed group when he attended scene of pre-organised fight

Father-of-six Willie Moorehouse (36) died after being attacked in Bray, Co Wicklow on Sunday evening
Father-of-six Willie Moorehouse (36) died after being attacked in Bray, Co Wicklow on Sunday evening
Wed Jan 22 2025 - 11:40

Four of the six people arrested as part of the investigation into the fatal attack on father-of-six Willie Moorehouse in Bray, Co Wicklow have been released without charge.

Gardaí on Wednesday said they had received the preliminary results of a postmortem carried out on the body of the 36-year-old and while they were not being released, the case is now being trated as a murder inquiry.

“A senior investigating officer (SIO) is leading the investigation from the incident room at Bray Garda Station. A family liaison officer (FLO) continues to provide support for the family,” the Garda said in a statement.

Two men, aged in their 20s and 40s, who were detained on Monday in the Bray area in connection with the attack were released on Wednesday morning.

READ SOME MORE

Four others were arrested on Tuesday when gardaí searched seven properties at a halting site in the Bray area. A juvenile, two men in their 20s and one in his 30s were taken for questioning. One of the men in his 20s and the man in his 30s were released without charge on Wednesday. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Moorehouse is believed to have gone to the Ballywaltrim area of Bray on Sunday evening for a pre-organised fight.

Gardaí suspect that fight, behind a community centre, was organised in an attempt to settle a drug-related dispute. However, Mr Moorehouse, who lived on the Half Moon Halting Site at Windgates, some 5km south of Bray, was set upon by men with weapons and stabbed to death.

The investigation team has found knives in the area close to the scene of the attack. They are hopeful forensic testing will link these to some of the suspects in the case.

Detectives believe a number of other people were in the area when the fatal altercation arose and are hopeful they may be able to aid the investigation.

Anyone with information or relevant camera footage is asked to contact Bray Garda station on (01) 6665300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.