Man killed in Kerry stabbing named locally as Paudie O’Connor

Another man in his 40s, who was known to Mr O’Connor, was arrested and is currently being questioned in connection with Mr O’Connor’s death by gardaí at Tralee Garda Station.

Mr O’Connor was in his mid-40s and worked intermittently in the building trade. 

He was single at the time of his death and was well-known locally.

Neither Mr O’Connor nor the man arrested on suspicion of his killing are known to gardaí for involvement in any level of criminality.

Mr O’Connor was from the nearby village of Scartaglen.

A search for a weapon is under way, it is understood.

A post-mortem was completed earlier today. The results will not be released for operational reasons, gardaí have said.

Local councillor Charlie Farrelly said it is a terrible tragedy for the family and the community.

“My prayers and thoughts are with the family,” Mr Farrelly said.

Fine Gael Councillor Bobby O’Connell said it was “absolutely devastating news” for the town of Castleisland and indeed for the whole district.

“The young man is very, very well known to the wider area. 

“This is a very close-knit community and for this to happen in a residential area in our town this morning is very traumatic for everybody concerned.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the young man’s passing is very, very traumatic for this area,” Mr O’Connell said.

Independent councillor Martin Grady said that it was a double tragedy for the family, having attended the funeral of a cousin in the hours before the suspected fatal assault.

This is an awful tragedy. It’s a big shock to the community and a double tragedy for the family.

Gardaí and emergency services were called to the scene shortly after midnight after they received a report of an unresponsive male with serious injuries outside a residence at An Caislean Mór in Castleisland.

He was later pronounced deceased at the scene. An autopsy was to take place today.

The man arrested as part of this investigation is being detained by gardaí under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The scene at An Caislean Mór has been preserved for technical examination and an investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information that can assist gardaí with this investigation is asked to contact Tralee Garda Station on 066 7102300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.