Gardaí continue to question man about fatal stabbing in Co Cork

Detectives are investigating the death of Shane Murphy (27) at his home at Seaview Avenue in Carrigaline

Gardaí have not disclosed the results of assistant State pathologist Dr Margot Bolster’s findings for operational reasons, but it is believed Garda technical experts found a knife at the scene which they suspect was used in the fatal attack.  Photograph: Getty Images
Gardaí have not disclosed the results of assistant State pathologist Dr Margot Bolster’s findings for operational reasons, but it is believed Garda technical experts found a knife at the scene which they suspect was used in the fatal attack. Photograph: Getty Images

Gardaí were on Sunday night continuing to question a 42-year-old man about the fatal stabbing of another man at his home in Carrigaline in Co Cork over the weekend.

Detectives investigating the death of Shane Murphy (27) at his home at Seaview Avenue in Carrigaline arrested the suspect in Passage West in Cork shortly after 8am on Saturday.

The man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning about the fatal assault on Mr Murphy, as well as an assault which caused serious injuries to his father Weeshie (75).

Detectives were on Sunday night continuing to question the man at Gurranebraher Garda station after questioning had been suspended on Saturday afternoon to allow him to obtain medical treatment.

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Shane Murphy was found in an upstairs room of his home by members of the Armed Support Unit after the alarm was raised when his father presented with injuries at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

Shane Murphy had suffered a stab wound to the upper body and paramedics worked to try to resuscitate him but they were unsuccessful. A local doctor pronounced him dead at the scene.

The area was cordoned off, and the body remained at the scene as gardaí requested the services of the State Pathologist’s Office.

Assistant State pathologist Dr Margot Bolster examined Mr Murphy's body at the semi-detached house before it was removed to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem on Saturday afternoon.

Technical experts

Gardaí have not disclosed the results of Dr Bolster’s findings for operational reasons, but it is believed Garda technical experts found a knife at the scene which they suspect was used in the fatal attack.

Weeshie Murphy underwent emergency surgery at CUH for a serious injury and is now in a stable condition. Gardaí hope to take a detailed statement from him over the coming days.

Both father and son were very involved in pitch and putt, and Shane was an All-Ireland pitch and putt champion.

Pitch and Putt Ireland said in a statement it was “both horrified and saddened to learn of the tragedy involving the Murphy family in Carrigaline overnight”.

“The death of Shane and the serious injuries which Weeshie has suffered have immensely shocked us. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family as well as the Raffee Creek and Rocklodge clubs.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Carrigaline Garda station on 021-4919370, Togher Garda station on 021-4947120 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times