A man is expected to appear before Limerick District Court today on murder charges related to the stabbing to death of a talented young soccer player who recently celebrated his 18th birthday.
Mr Edward Cully, from Woodview Park, Limerick, played for Ireland at under-14 level and also played for Fairview Rangers minor soccer team in Limerick.
The apprentice bricklayer was found with fatal stab wounds shortly before 5.30 a.m. at a house in Merval Crescent in Clareview yesterday morning.
It's believed between four and five youths were drinking in the house when a row broke out and Mr Cully was stabbed a number of times. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5.25 a.m.
Two hours later a 19-year-old man, who had been drinking in the house at the time, was arrested at Henry Street in Limerick city.
Yesterday's fatal stabbing is not linked to any of the ongoing feuds in the city. "This incident is not linked to any feud in the city and was an isolated incident," said a Garda spokesman.
Assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster travelled to Limerick yesterday to carry out a postmortem.
Fairview Rangers soccer club yesterday cancelled their FAI Junior Cup match in Co Galway as a mark of respect to Mr Cully.
Members of the club's senior team were en route to Athenry for the match when news of the tragedy broke.
Residents of Clareview were horrified on hearing the news. "No-one can believe this happened. This is a very quiet area and there is never any trouble here - it's just frightening," said one resident.