Gardaí have launched a murder investigation into the stabbing of a young man in a Dublin hotel in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Martin McLoughlin, a 21-year-old man from Cherrywood Park, in Clondalkin, died in the Mater hospital, Dublin, yesterday from injuries he received in the corridor of Jurys hotel near Croke Park.
It is understood Mr McLoughlin had checked into the hotel with friends for the New Year's Eve celebrations.
Gardaí at Fitzgibbon Street Garda station launched a murder investigation after Mr McLoughlin was pronounced dead by doctors at 7am yesterday.
As a postmortem got under way, Chief Supt Mick Feehan appealed for anyone who may have seen an altercation take place in the hotel to contact Fitzgibbon Street station, from where the murder inquiry was being co-ordinated.
Gardaí also forensically examined a stretch of corridor in the hotel which had been cordoned off. It is understood the dead man had been given first aid at the scene, after he had been stabbed in the chest.
Chief Supt Feehan said he did not want to reveal precise details of the investigation but added that the Garda had received "good co-operation". While the victim died of a stab wound, he declined to say whether the weapon involved was a knife or whether it had been recovered at the scene.
Meanwhile, the new year celebrations were marred by a number of violent incidents also under investigation by the Garda.
Five Lithuanian men in their 20s were stabbed at Newcastle west, in Co Limerick, in an apparent argument.
The stabbings followed a row at St Mary's Road in the town and took place as the group was on its way to a party at Brenknock Court Avenue. All were taken to Limerick Regional Hospital where they were treated for shock and blood loss. Two were discharged early on New Year's Day and two more men were later released. One of the Lithuanian men remains in hospital and is in a comfortable position, according to the hospital.
Gardaí have made no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. They are appealing for anyone with information to contact Newcastle West Garda station at 069-62111.
In a violent incident in Co Antrim, a 36-year-old man received multiple stab wounds in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Gardaí are also investigating a violent attack on a man in Rathmoylan, near Enfield, Co Meath, in the early hours of New Year's Day. The man was taken to Navan General Hospital and was treated but not admitted, according to the hospital.
