Gardaí have begun a murder investigation after a postmortem confirmed a man died in Sligo town on Monday as a result of stab wounds.
The body of musician Martin “Matt” Kivlehan (59) was discovered at his home in Holborn Street at 1pm. A knife was found close to the scene.
Two people were arrested in connection with his death late on Monday.
A man in his late 20s and a woman in her mid-20s are being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Sligo Garda station.
A postmortem was carried out on his remains on Tuesday by deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis, but gardaí said further results were not being released "for operational reasons".
“Following the postmortem, gardaí can confirm that Martin Kivlehan died of stab wounds and a murder investigation has commenced,” gardaí said in a statement.
Witnesses sought
Gardaí investigating the case in Sligo wish to speak to anyone who was in the Holborn Street area between 10pm on Sunday night and 1pm on Monday.
They can be contacted on (071) 9157000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Mr Kivlehan was a tradesman who played banjo in local pubs. He lived alone.
Local councillor Séamus O’Boyle (PBP) said he had known Mr Kivlehan for 30 years and that he was well thought of in the community.
“Locals are shocked, especially if the reports of the circumstances of his death are true,” he said. “He was from a very well-respected family and he was well-respected...He was a very inoffensive man, a very talented man,” added Cllr O’Boyle.
Holborn Street, one of the oldest streets in Sligo, is close to the town centre and is best known for its connections with comic writer Spike Milligan, whose father Leo was born there.
