Gardai are searching for the killer of a 19-year-old man from Limerick city. Mr Michael Fitzpatrick, of Yeats Avenue, Kincora Park, Southill, was stabbed three times in the stomach and chest late on Friday night outside a pub at Collins Avenue.
He was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital, where he died at about 1 a.m.
Gardai received reports of a disturbance outside the pub before the fatal stabbing, but the attacker had fled by the time they arrived at the scene.
Father Joe Young, a family friend, said that the young man's death had cast a deep shadow over the community. He added: "He was a very sociable lad who had lots of friends and was very popular." The scene of the attack was preserved for forensic examination and the Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Maire Cassidy, carried out a post-mortem examination yesterday.
Supt Willie Keane, from Roxboro station, said: "We are anxious to hear from anyone who was inside or outside the pub between 11 p.m. and 11.40 p.m. on Friday night."