Man stabbed to death in Dublin flat named as Leo Carolan (25)

The man stabbed to death in a flat in Dublin city on Tuesday has been named locally as Leo Carolan (25), a graduate of Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology.

Gardaí are holding a media briefing Wednesday on the fatal stabbing as a manhunt into the assailant began.

Another man was found injured on the road outside where Mr Carolan was stabbed shortly before 3.30pm on Tuesday.

The injured man was found lying on the pavement on the South Circular Road near Bloomfield Avenue, Dublin 8.

Mr Carolan was discovered inside the flat moments later.

The injured man, who is also in his 20s, was taken to St James’s Hospital with a knife wound to his neck. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening .

Gardaí investigating the killing are hopeful he will soon be well enough to be interviewed.

They are also looking to speak to a third man seen who was leaving the property at about 3.20pm. He is described as being in his 20s, 168cm (5’6’’), of thin build and wearing a dark top which may have been blood-stained.

A heavy Garda presence, including armed officers, remained at the scene for a number of hours following the incident and members of the Garda Technical Bureau could be seen coming and going from the building.

A second crime scene, the pavement where the injured man was discovered, was also sealed off. A knife with a black handle which was found on this pavement was photographed and taken away for examination. Bloodstains also marked the scene.

Officials from the Office of the State Pathologist left the scene at about 5.30pm having carried out a preliminary examination of the body .

Neighbours from the area could be seen peering from windows at the gathering media and gardaí.

A number expressed their shock at the incident but said they knew little about who lived in the flat as most residential property in the area is made up of apartments with a high turnover of tenants.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said parts of the area had become “dodgy” in recent times.

“I just think the area has been getting a bit dodgy in the last couple of months. I’ve been living here six years.

“Most of the houses on this road are divided into flats so you don’t even know the people living in your own building.

“I was out the back of the house but I didn’t hear anything. My brother rang me and told me about it, so I looked outside and saw this melée.”

Another neighbour said she “never thought anything like that could happen around here”.

“Nobody can do anything about it. We can’t have the guards at every junction.”

Detectives could also be seen carrying out searches of the front gardens of neighbouring properties.

Gardaí have asked anyone who was in the South Circular Road or Bloomfield Avenue area yesterday afternoon between 3pm and 4pm is asked to contact Kevin Street Garda station.