Gardaí yesterday renewed their appeal for information relating to the incidents in Fermoy, north Cork, on New Year's Eve in which a man stabbed himself to death shortly after he attacked a Garda sergeant with a knife. The young man's parents had gone to the scene before he died.
Trevor Clancy (26) of Pike Road, Fermoy, had two knives and died against a wall with chest wounds shortly after 1am on Sunday.
Mr Clancy had been refused entry to a nightclub at Ashe Quay in the town a short time earlier. Security staff at the nightclub contacted gardaí when they noticed that the man possessed at least two flick knives.
Sgt John Liston went to Pearse Square in the town and attempted to calm the situation.
However, Clancy stabbed him once in the abdomen.
Sgt Liston, who is in his mid 50s, required surgery following the incident but is now in a stable condition in Cork University Hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Meanwhile, Mr Clancy's parents were called to the scene and pleaded with him to give himself up.
However, he stabbed himself in the chest and died near the town park.
An investigation team from outside Fermoy has been appointed to lead the inquiry into Mr Clancy's death as per standard practice.
Gardaí would like to speak to anyone who was with or met Mr Clancy in the 24 hours prior to his death.
Supt Tom Hayes, who is leading the investigation, said anyone with information should contact gardaí in Fermoy on (025) 82100.
Mayor of Fermoy Tim Carey said the town was left reeling by the murder of boxing coach John Mahon in February 2006 and that the year ended on an equally sad note with the death of Mr Clancy and the injuries caused to Sgt Liston.
"That [ the John Mahon case] still leaves a doom and gloom over us because the case has not gone to court yet. It [ 2006] has come to an even darker end. These are heartbreaking times."
Fr Andrew Carville said locals found it hard to come to terms with two tragedies occurring in such a short period of time.
"It is a shock for this to have happened. We are praying for all involved.
"It [ Mr Clancy's death] came out of the blue on a Saturday night just like the John Mahon death. We are praying for all involved."
Funeral arrangements have yet to be finalised. Mr Clancy's body was taken to Cork University Hospital on Sunday afternoon. A post-mortem was later carried out by assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.
Mr Clancy is survived by his parents Bernadette and Éamonn and a brother and sister.