TWO MEN were in Garda custody yesterday evening as investigations continued into the stabbing to death of a 24-year-old man in an alley in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo.
The men, who are both from the Co Mayo area, were questioned throughout yesterday in connection with the murder of Frankie Heneghan, a construction worker from Ballyheane, Castlebar, early on Wednesday morning.
Mr Heneghan, a father of two, died in a lane off Main Street.
An autopsy at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar established that he died from multiple stab wounds.
The first suspect, a man in his mid 20s, was arrested about 7pm on Wednesday and taken to Swinford Garda station for questioning. His period of detention was extended for a second 12-hour period yesterday afternoon.
The second suspect, another young male, was arrested in the Kiltimagh area about 11.30am yesterday. He was still being interrogated last night in Swinford Garda station.
Both men, who can be held without charge for up to 24 hours, were arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Forensic examination of the murder scene continued throughout yesterday.
Gardaí issued an appeal to anybody who had information about the crime to come forward.
Supt Ronan Galligan, who is heading the murder investigation, said the public had responded positively to the appeal for information and a number of witnesses had come forward.
These witnesses have been able to furnish details of an altercation on Main Street shortly before the victim was discovered slumped in an alley.
A friend of the family, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, said last night the issue of people carrying knives is going to have to be seriously examined in the light of the two stabbings – that of Mr Heneghan and Garda Daryl Mullen – in almost as many days in Co Mayo.
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the stabbing of Garda Mullen, a drugs squad officer, in Westport on Sunday morning. The officer, who sustained a stomach wound, is recovering at Mayo General Hospital.
No arrangements had been made up to last night for the funeral of Frankie Heneghan who was the youngest in a family of nine, due to a delay in releasing the body from Mayo General Hospital.