Gardaí investigating the murder of a 24-year-old father of two in Cork city over the weekend believe that he was fleeing for his life when he was attacked by two men and stabbed a number of times in the chest.
Detectives investigating the murder of Brian McKee, from Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, on the city's southside, believe he was trying to escape from his attackers when they caught him on a green area at Ballinure Avenue and stabbed him a number of times.
Gardaí believe that the attack was witnessed by up to 10 people and it is understood that it was one of them who raised the alarm. When the emergency services arrived shortly after 5am on Saturday, they found Mr McKee lying in a pool of blood.
He was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery but died at about 2.25pm on Saturday.
Gardaí immediately requested the services of the State Pathologist Office.
Meanwhile, gardaí cordoned off the area where Mr McKee was found and local technical bureau officers carried out a forensic examination of the area where it is understood they recovered at least two knives which were believed to have been used in the attack.
Gardaí, under Supt Mick Finn of Anglesea Street Garda station, yesterday formally upgraded the investigation to a murder inquiry after Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis, completed his postmortem and concluded that Mr McKee died from multiple stab wounds to the chest.
Gardaí believe that the fatal attack followed an earlier incident sometime after 4.30am when Mr McKee was contacted by a woman while attending a house party in the area and words were exchanged between them before the woman's sister also confronted Mr McKee on the street.
The women had been part of a group who had been at a beach party at Myrtleville, near Crosshaven.
A man in his 20s who had been with the woman's sister then confronted Mr McKee and a row broke out.
Gardaí believe that this man went to a house nearby where he picked up some knives and returned with another man and together they attempted to attack Mr McKee, who realising they were armed with knives, tried to make his escape only to be stabbed several times.
At about 9.30am on Saturday officers arrested a 27-year-old man in the Mahon area under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and brought him to the Bridewell Garda station for questioning.
Meanwhile, gardaí mounted a search operation for the other suspect and at about 4.30am yesterday arrested a 24-year-old man in the Mayfield area of Cork's northside and he was also brought to the Bridewell for questioning.
A plasterer, Mr McKee was separated from his partner with whom he has two children, Katelyn (5) and Chelsea (2). He lived with his parents, Pat and Peggy. He has an older sister, Victoria and a younger brother, Patrick.
Last night local Green Party councillor, Chris O'Leary, spoke of the sense of shock in the area at Mr McKee's killing.
"People are just in a state of shock - the brutality of a young man being killed like this in a horrific violent manner has really stunned people.
"Our hearts go to out his parents, Pat and Peggy - they're a hard-working couple, well respected in the area and no family deserve to lose their son like this and no young children deserve to lose their father like this - it really is a horrific tragedy for them," Mr O'Leary said.