MAN DEAD IN NEW YEAR STABBING HORROR
Officers quiz suspect as friend pays tribute to ‘heart and soul’ of community
A MAN was arrested last night over the suspected fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old.
It is believed the victim, named locally as Willie Lynch, died after a row in Pallaskenry in Co Limerick.
Gardai made the grim discovery after they were called to a house at around 5pm. A 29-year-old, who it is believed was known to the deceased, was last night being held by gardai. A friend of the dead man said he was “the heart and soul” of the village. Brian Barry, 26, added: “I’m just numb. I was chatting to him all over Christmas... now it’s all over.”
A FRIEND of a man found dead in his home last night said the victim was “the heart and soul” of his local village.
Brian Barry was “numb” after the reported death of his best friend Willie Lynch, a talented darts and pool player from Pallaskenry, Co Limerick.
Mr Lynch, 35, was found with a number of suspected stab wounds in his home yesterday.
Gardai discovered his body at the property on Main Street in the West Limerick village shortly after 5pm.
Local sources claim a man was seen walking along the street near the house with blood on his clothing.
Gardai were questioning a 29-year old man in connection with Mr Lynch’s death. He is understood to be known to the victim.
Mr Lynch had been due to take part in a pool tournament in the village last night, which he was running.
All proceeds from the event were to go towards Milford Hospice cancer care services in Limerick. The event was cancelled as a mark of respect.
KIND-HEARTED
Mr Barry said: “He was one of my best friends. We used to go to matches together, we drove everywhere together. He was the life and soul of this place.”
The pals had coached the local under-14 soccer side, and they were both to feature in last night’s pool tournament on the same team.
“I text [Willie] to see how he was fixed for going out. He didn’t reply.
“He was running the team. He was our captain. He was one of the best pool players around.
“I’m just numb. It doesn’t feel real. I was chatting to him all over Christmas, and we were looking forward to the New Year. Now it’s all over.”
Local councillor Emmet O’brien also paid tribute to Mr Lynch.
He said: “I played hurling with him and he was a decent, harmless guy. He was always jovial. It’s a terrible tragedy.
“He was involved in raising funds for Milford Hospice. It just shows what kind of a kind-hearted individual he was.
“Willie loved his sport. He was a very good hurler in his day. We won a few divisional junior titles together.
“He played wing forward and he was our free-taker. He had moved away from hurling to playing soccer and pool and darts. Everyone here is shocked.”
Mr Lynch’s end terrace, a two-storey family home, which he shared with his
He was a decent, harmless guy, it’s a terrible tragedy CLLR EMMET O’BRIEN LIMERICK YESTERDAY
brothers Gerry and Danny and their mother Suzie, was sealed off by gardai. The State Pathologist was due at the scene last night.
A local supermarket, located close to the house, was also sealed off as part of the probe.
A huge manhunt got under way following the grim discovery with armed officers backing up local units.
They arrested the 29-year-old man who is being detained at Newcastlewest Garda station. A source said: “One of the men was believed to have been stabbed during the row but the attacker then fled the scene in a panic.
“Gardai made contact with the suspect and he was arrested.
APPEAL
“Neighbours are shocked and stunned. It is believed that Willie lived with a brother and their mother in a council house in the village. Willie loved hurling and played a bit.”
Gardai sealed off the area and the body remained at the scene as forensic experts began an examination. It is expected a postmortem will be carried out today. A Garda spokesman said: “Gardai in Newcastlewest are investigating the death of male in his 30s in a house in the village of Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, on December 30.
“Gardai were called to the scene shortly before 5pm and discovered the body of a male in a house.
“Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact the Gardai in Newcastlewest on 061 393102, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”