A man stabbed to death in Athy on Thursday has been named as 34-year-old David Boland from Nurney, Co Kildare.
Gardaí are investigating the circumstances that led up to the fatal attack on the father in the early hours of the morning.
It is understood Mr Boland was stabbed four times outside a clothes shop on the town's Duke Street and subsequently died from his injuries.
A party was said to have been taking place at a flat above the shop, accessed through a nearby laneway, while gardaí said a number of people were in the vicinity when the attack took place.
While gardaí were attempting to piece together the events that led to the attack, local unconfirmed reports suggested Mr Boland may have been passing the area at the time when he was set upon.
Members of the public discovered him with severe injuries on the pavement just before 6am and contacted emergency services. He was taken to the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise but died from his injuries.
Gardaí are also understood to believe the victim’s car, a silver Audi, was taken from the scene and driven to the nearby Woodstock Street where it was crashed, after which attempts were made to burn it. Images of the badly damaged Audi appeared on Thursday evening.
Mr Boland lived in Nurney, an area about 16 kilometres outside Athy and is known to have at least one young child. A Garda liaison officer was appointed to support his family.
Aftermath
In the aftermath of the attack, gardaí sealed off the road and alley. While this cordon was later lifted, the upstairs flat remained closed as a crime scene.
Members of the Garda Technical Bureau attended the scene and both the State pathologist's office and local coroner were contacted.
"From our enquiries to date we understand a number of people were in the vicinity when this incident occurred and we would appeal to anyone who was in the Duke Street area at approximately 5.30am this morning to come forward," said Superintendent Martin Walker.
“We would also appeal to passing motorists and in particular those with dash cam footage to contact us here at the incident room.”
The attack took place just hours after a council-organised Halloween celebration in the town centre.
Local councillor Aoife Breslin described the attack as "absolutely horrific". She said local CCTV is due to be fitted in parts of the town later this month.
“Unfortunately in the country at the moment there are absolutely huge issues going on – life has become quite cheap,” she said.
Locals said the tragedy has also cast a pall over a planned celebration in the town on Friday night in which a plaque is due to be commemorated to the Smiths musician Johnny Marr whose parents came from the town.
Fine Gael councillor Ivan Keately said the death was “shocking” and came on a night of celebration in the community.
“We have built up a reputation in the last few years with the council putting on a good show. There was a feel good factor in the town with Halloween over the last few years,” he said.
“It’s been a couple of years since we have had an incident as serious as this.”
Anyone with information on the stabbing is urged to contact Athy Garda Station at (059) 863 4210 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.
