Gardaí investigating the murder of a young man in Galway early this morning have released a still image from CCTV footage in the hope that members of the public can help identify a woman and a man in the picture.
Kieran Cunningham (20) was attacked just minutes after leaving a nightclub in the heart of the city in the early hours of the morning.
He rushed to University College Hospital Galway with serious wounds but died a short time later.
Detectives were hunting for the weapon used in the fatal stabbing and a postmortem was to take place this afternoon.
A number of streets in the vicinity were closed today as gardaí carried out an examination.
Gardaí released an image from CCTV footage and a description of two people they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.
Gardaí said the man is in his mid-20s, about 6' in height with tightly cut dark hair. He is wearing a blue t-shirt with the logo 'Sao Paolo 09' and stonewashed denim jeans. The t-shirt has a white rim on the neck and sleeves.
He is accompanied by a womanwho is about 5' 6" tall with dark hair tied back. She is wearing a purple top and black trousers with a three-quarter length leg. She is carrying a black-coloured shoulder bag over her right shoulder, hanging on the left side of her body.
Mr Cunningham, a deli-worker from Slievefinn, near Claregalway, was the second oldest child in a family of three.
He was found with multiple wounds in the Williamsgate Street area of the city at about 2.20am.
Gardai said he had been in the nearby Karma nightclub, off Eyre Square, about 10 minutes before the attack.
Senior gardaí investigating the crime also appealed for anyone in the area who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.
“I’d be appealing to taxis, motorists in general and also any pedestrians, people who were in the area,” Superintendent Tom Curley of Mill Street Garda station in Galway said.
“Somebody had to see something out there.”
About 150 people are believed to have been in the club where Mr Cunningham was socialising last night.
Local parish priest Fr Hughie Loftus said his parents, Bernie and Donie, brother Daniel and sister Karen were numbed by the tragedy.
Mayor of Galway Padraig Conneely said the town was shocked by the death.
“This is an awful tragedy. My sympathies are with this young man’s family."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Galway Garda station on 091 - 538000.
Additional reporting: PA