Gardaí launch probe as body found with knife in chest

GARDAÍ are investigating the discovery of a body in Co. Clare early yesterday. The body of the man, believed to be in his 40s, was found with a knife still in his chest.

It’s understood that emergency services were alerted shortly after 10am when a passerby reported the discovery.

Gardaí, ambulance paramedics and a rapid response advanced paramedic unit attended the scene and located the body in a green area between Turnpike Road and Gallows Hill, just a short distance from local homes and businesses.

Eyewitnesses said they thought they could see a knife in the man’s chest area. Gardaí were seen removing items from the scene in evidence bags.

The green area is used as a short cut by locals making their way to local pubs and shops and to Ennis town centre.

It is also believed the man may have lived in rental accommodation a short distance away from where he was found. Gardaí carried out door-to-door inquiries.

The area was photographed by crime scene technicians while plastic sheeting was quickly placed over the body and the area surrounding it as it began to rain.

The body was later removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem examination was carried out.

One local man said: ‘It’s awful. I was wondering what the guards were doing and I didn’t even see the body behind the tree at first. When I went out for a look, I could see the knife in his chest.

‘I could see it clearly. I’ve never seen anything like that before and there was no way I was letting my wife or daughter out until the body was covered up.’

An incident room has been established at Ennis Garda Station as officers began to piece together the man’s last movements.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses who were in the vicinity of The Turnpike Road, Ennis, between 10pm, on September 14 and 10am on September 15.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Ennis Garda Station on 065-6848100, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.