Gardaí investigating why man was knifed to death by fellow resident of psychiatric unit
GARDAÍ are investigating whether a 35-year-old man who was stabbed to death by a 25-year-old was killed as part of “a row or a psychotic episode” in the capital’s latest murder.
Both men had been living in a HSE-run psychiatric facility on St Lawrence Road in Clontarf.
The victim was named locally last night as Michael Olohan who was not known to gardaí for involvement in crime. The 25-year-old suspect, who handed himself into local gardaí just minutes after the fatal stab attack, is also not known to officers for involvement in crime.
The fatal attack took place at the support facility at about 7.15am yesterday.
Sources said the victim died from stab wounds to the chest after a “disagreement” between the two men, who were known to each another.
The suspect was gone from the scene when the emergency services and gardaí arrived.
However, within minutes the suspect presented at Clontarf garda station. He handed himself in and told gardaí he had stabbed another man.
The suspect was arrested but it is understood he was transferred to hospital, as he had cut wounds to his hands.
Gardaí are examining whether mental-health issues were the catalyst for the fatal stabbing.
“Gardaí are not looking for anyone else in relation to this tragic death,” a senior source said last night.
The scene on St Lawrence Road in Clontarf was sealed off by gardaí as the investigation got underway.
Members of the Garda technical bureau arrived just before 11am to begin a forensic search of the area.
The property where the stabbing happened is a HSE-run psychiatric facility according to local councillor Nial Ring, who said it is long-established and well integrated within the local community.
“It is a very well-run place which is never a source of trouble, so the whole community are shocked,” said Cllr Ring.