Murder inquiry after man found stabbed in apartment

A murder investigation has begun into the death of a man who was stabbed in his apartment.

The body of Finbar Dennehy (50) was discovered at his home in the Merchamp apartments in Clontarf, north Dublin, on Wednesday afternoon.

Detectives investigating his death now believe that he may have been dead since last Saturday night or Sunday morning, the last confirmed time when he was seen alive.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis concluded that Mr Dennehy died of a single stab wound to the stomach. His hands were tied and there was a bag over his head.

Garda spokesman Insp Eddie Hyland said the investigation into Mr Dennehy's death was a complex matter involving witnesses, CCTV footage and forensic evidence.

There was no evidence of a break-in at Mr Dennehy's apartment and gardaí are now investigating whether the person who stabbed him to death was known to Mr Dennehy, or whether he was invited back to his apartment.

Door-to-door inquiries have been carried out in the Merchamp apartments and gardaí have been speaking to some of the last people who saw Mr Dennehy alive.

His body was discovered by a neighbour who had a key to the apartment.

Insp Hyland said: "We want people who may have been in the vicinity of Merchamp apartments from Sunday, September 23rd, to Wednesday, September 26th, particularly anybody who came into contact with the deceased, to come forward. We would also appreciate that anybody who witnessed anything unusual in the area would contact us."

Asked about some media speculation in relation to circumstances surrounding the death, another garda who was present at the press conference outside Clontarf Garda station described the reports as totally inaccurate and appalling.

Mr Dennehy was a retired worker who took redundancy last year from Cadbury's factory in Coolock. A spokeswoman for the company said they sympathised with his family.

Mr Dennehy was born in London, but moved with his family to Ireland when he was eight. His body was identified by members of his family yesterday. He is survived by two brothers and two sisters.

He was a director of the management company that ran the apartment complex on behalf of its residents.

Merchamp is a mature apartment complex at the junction of Vernon Avenue and Seafield Road East and three-bed apartments sell for about €700,000.

A woman, who dealt with him on the management committee, said: "He was a very pleasant person to deal it. He could articulate his views very well. I would describe him as a relatively quiet man.

"I found him to be a perfect gentleman. He was very easy to deal with in all the dealings I had with him. I'm more than surprised about what happened."