THREE PEOPLE were being held by gardaí last night in connection with fatal stabbings in Dublin and Galway.
Four men and four women were arrested earlier in Dublin after a man in his 30s died from injuries sustained in an incident in Ballyfermot on Sunday. The man was assaulted when a row broke out close to a nightclub on Sarsfield Road at about 9.30pm.
The victim, named locally as Kevin Kenny, received at least four wounds to his upper body. He was taken to St James’s Hospital with serious injuries and was pronounced dead a short time later.
No weapon has been discovered by gardaí but it is understood he was attacked with a knife. A postmortem was due to be carried out yesterday.
The scene of the stabbing was sealed off yesterday for a technical examination and diversions were in place on the Sarsfield Road. Four men and four women, all aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested in the surrounding area following the assault. They were being held at a number of Garda stations in the west city. Six of those held were released late last night.
Any witnesses or anyone who was in the Sarsfield Road area at about 9pm on Sunday are asked to contact Ballyfermot Garda station on (01) 666 7200.
In Galway, a woman was being questioned last night in connection with the death of a man in Salthill. Kevin Joyce (59) was found dead on a first-floor veranda of an apartment block at about 10.30pm on Sunday after the emergency services were notified.
Paramedics and a doctor treated Mr Joyce but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardaí said a woman in her 30s was found in a distressed state in the immediate area. It is believed she was known to the man. The woman had apparently sustained minor injuries and had to receive medical attention.
The woman was later arrested and taken to Mill Street Garda station in the city centre where she was detained for questioning under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
The area where Mr Joyce was found was sealed off on Sunday night and and the occupants of a number of nearby apartments had to vacate their buildings to facilitate the investigation.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jaber conducted an initial examination at the scene of the incident.
Mr Joyce’s body was removed at about lunchtime to University Hospital Galway for a postmortem examination.
Mr Joyce returned to Ireland some time ago to live in Salthill after spending many years in the United States. He had worked in Seattle for most of his life.
Garda Supt Noel Kelly of Salthill Garda station appealed to witnesses to contact Salthill Garda station on (091) 514720, Mill Street Garda station on (091) 538070 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666111.