Garda questioning of man arrested after stabbing of Shane Murphy (27) resumes

Deceased was stabbed and his father injured in attack in Carrigaline, Co Cork

Shane Murphy (left) with his father ‘Weeshie’ Murphy. Photograph: Provision
Shane Murphy (left) with his father ‘Weeshie’ Murphy. Photograph: Provision

Gardaí investigating the fatal stabbing of a 27-year-old man in his house in Carrigaline, Co Cork this morning resumed questioning of a man arrested yesterday.

Detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Shane Murphy at his home at Sea View Avenue in Carrigaline had arrested a 42-year-old man in Passage West shortly after 8am on Saturday.

The man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning about the fatal assault on Mr Murphy, as well as an assault which caused serious injuries to Mr Murphy’s father, Weeshie (75).

Shane Murphy was one of the top pitch and putt players in the country. He played at Raffeen Pitch and Putt Club, and was well known in Carrigaline where he played football with the local soccer club.

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The deceased, named locally as Shane Murphy (27), was pronounced dead at the scene. File photograph: Garda Press Office/family of the deceased
The deceased, named locally as Shane Murphy (27), was pronounced dead at the scene. File photograph: Garda Press Office/family of the deceased

Questioning of the arrested man was suspended on Saturday afternoon after the arrested man was examined by a doctor and deemed to be in need of medical treatment, and he was taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

The man returned to Gurranebraher Garda Station this morning and detectives have resumed questioning him.

Weeshie Murphy was taken to CUH by taxi around 3.30am on Saturday after he suffered a stab wound to the neck and he underwent surgery at the hospital for his injuries.

Gardaí are hoping to be given permission by doctors at CUH in the coming days to take a detailed statement from him as to what happened to him and his son Shane at their family home.

Shane Murphy was found in an upstairs bedroom by members of the Armed Support Unit after the alarm was raised when Weeshie Murphy presented with injuries at CUH.

The house in Carrigaline, Co. Cork where the incident took place. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision
The house in Carrigaline, Co. Cork where the incident took place. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Shane Murphy had suffered a stab wound to the upper body and paramedics tried to resuscitate him but a local doctor pronounced him dead at the scene.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster examined Shane Murphy's remains at the scene before it they were removed to CUH for a postmortem on Saturday afternoon.

Gardaí have not disclosed the results of Dr Bolster’s findings at postmortem for operational reasons, they say.

It is understood gardaí recovered a knife at the scene which they believe was used in the attack and it is due to be examined by garda technical experts.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times