A man (29) who was being questioned by gardaí in connection with the murder of a pensioner on Saturday afternoon has been freed without charge.
Edward Boylan (74) was stabbed to death at his home in sheltered accommodation in Kimmage owned by Dublin City Council. He died from a knife wound to his chest following a break-in to his home. The knife was recovered at the scene.
Originally from the north side of Dublin, Mr Boylan moved to the accommodation in Ravensdale Close, Kimmage, 18 months ago.
His attacker attempted to set fire to Mr Boylan’s two-storey flat, which he entered at about 2pm on Saturday.
Gardaí said there was evidence of arson. Mr Boylan was found dead in bed by firefighters who fought the blaze at the home.
The scene was sealed off for a forensic investigation and an examination by deputy State pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar on Saturday.
A postmortem was carried out yesterday afternoon at the City Morgue in Marino.
The 29-year-old man was arrested on Saturday night in Dublin city centre and taken to Crumlin Garda station for questioning. He was questioned under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. His period of detention was extended yesterday afternoon and he was released without charge today. A file is being prepared to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry in relation to Mr Boylan’s killing and are satisfied that only one person was involved.
The scene of Saturday’s killing was sealed off yesterday. Access to the complex can only be gained through an electronic gate with a code. The window in the upstairs bedroom was smashed. A gate that allowed access to the complex was locked and the other gate was manned by gardaí.
Locals said Mr Boylan was a quiet man who drank in the Black Horse Inn and liked to watch horseracing on television.
Local Labour TD Eric Byrne said it was as a “horrendous incident” for the other elderly residents of the complex, many of whom were older than Mr Boylan.
Mr Byrne added that the shock of Mr Boylan’s death was compounded by the nature of the complex where the residents all help each other out and maintain the front of the flats in a pristine condition. “It is a very nice, warm homely collective which makes it such a shocking experience for them,” he said.
However, he stressed residents were reassured by the Garda investigation that the person who killed Mr Boylan does not pose a threat to them. “There are a lot of very elderly and sick residents who would feel insecure after this type of incident,” he said.
He said a similar incident in Bow Lane a few years ago had left elderly residents requesting to move out and many feared for their lives for months afterwards.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area of Ravensdale Close in the hours leading up to the discovery of the body and who may have any information that could assist the investigation to contact Crumlin on 01-6666600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111, or any Garda station.
