Dubliner stabbed to death by man known to him, gardaí believe

Gardaí do not believe killing linked to feuding in west Dublin

Gardaí at the scene of a fatal stabbing  at Castlecurragh Heath in Mulhuddart, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Gardaí at the scene of a fatal stabbing at Castlecurragh Heath in Mulhuddart, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins

A man stabbed to death in west Dublin on Saturday night was fatally injured by a man known to him, gardaí believe.

The victim, named as Noel Whelan and believed to be in his 20s, died at a house at Castlecurragh Heath, Mulhuddart, shortly after 6pm on Saturday.

Detectives believe Mr Whelan was fatally stabbed after a dispute broke out between the victim and another man at the house.

A man in his 40s handed himself into gardaí on Saturday night after the incident. He was arrested and taken to Finglas Garda station for questioning.

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While there have been feuds linked to organised crime in the local area, gardaí do not believe Mr Whelan’s killing is connected. Mr Whelan had no links to criminal feuding.

His killing is being treated as a spur of the moment attack that arose during a dispute between the victim and a man he knew well.

Emergency services were alerted immediately after the attack and paramedics and gardaí attended the scene. Efforts to save Mr Whelan’s life were not successful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The remains were left in place overnight and the scene was sealed off. Mr Whelan’s body remained at the scene for much of Sunday pending the arrival of a pathologist to carry out a preliminary examination.

Multiple stab wounds

Later on Sunday the remains were taken away for a postmortem and the Garda Technical Bureau carried out an examination of the house and crime scene.

The suspect, who had been known to the victim for several years, was being questioned on Sunday night.

The results of the postmortem are expected to show Mr Whelan died of multiple stab wounds.

The suspect is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and gardaí are not seeking anyone else in relation to the killing.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times