STABBED TO DEATH ‘IN CARD GAME ROW’
Man, 40, dies in hospital after New Year’s Eve party knifing
A MAN stabbed to death at a New Year’s Eve party had a row over a game of cards, it is believed.
Gardai launched a murder probe after Marek Swider, 40, died in Cavan hospital yesterday morning.
One local said: “People in the town are saying that he may have been playing cards and there was a row.”
A ROW during a game of cards may have led to a man being knifed to death on New Year’s Eve.
The shocking incident happened at Dublin Street in Ballyjamesduff in Cavan at 11pm on Sunday.
The victim, named locally as 40-year-old Marek Swider, was taken to hospital but doctors were unable to save him and he was pronounced dead at 9.30am.
Mr Swider was Polish and had been living in Cavan for more than 10 years.
A postmortem was carried out yesterday. No arrests have yet been made.
Fine Gael councillor Paddy Smyth said: “It is very sad when everybody is celebrating.
“Reports have it that it was a falling-out over a game of cards.
“The local area is shocked especially when it happened at this time of year
“Marek was a good man and he worked on a farm for the last number of years.”
Fr Kevin Donohoe added: “It is a tragedy for everyone and the Polish community in our area.
“We think of his family and friends at this time.
“There is a lot of Polish people in the community. It is very sad.”
A friend of the victim told the Irish Mirror: “I knew him as one of the Polish men living in Ballyjamesduff.
“It is very sad news for that small town, he was a good man.
One resident said: “Locals are shocked that such a terrible thing could happen on their doorstep. It is a quiet town with kind people and we didn’t expect this to happen on New Year’s Eve.
“There wasn’t that many people on that street on the night. It wasn’t that busy. I don’t think the man was at a public party. It’s unreal for it to happen here in Ballyjamesduff.
“We heard today that it happened and we are all taken aback. Another said: “Unbelievably sad start to the New Year for some family. Rest In Peace.” The scene was preserved for a forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
Officers have appealed to anyone who may have been in the area or has information to contact them at Bailieboro Garda station on 042-9694570, the Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
They want to speak to anyone who was driving on the Dublin Road between 10.30pm and midnight and who may have dashcam footage of the area.
They also want to talk to any members of the Polish community who knew Mr Swider.
A spokesman said: “The deceased is a Polish national and we have been in contact with his family in Poland and a family liaison officer has been appointed.
“For operational reasons the postmortem results are not being disclosed at this stage.”