THE Clonmel man who was brutally stabbed to death in a suburb of the town in the early hours of yesterday morning is understood to be David Nugent, who was in his mid-20s, and believed to be from the Haywood area of Clonmel.
Supt Dick Burke, who is leading the murder investigation, said that a positive identification could not be released because gardai did not want to disturb the scene of the crime until the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, had completed a post mortem.
He confirmed, however, that up to seven stab wounds were visible on the back of the body and that the dead man's long, black hair was matted. There were blood stains near the scene. The body was last night still lying face down in a field behind a housing scheme on the outskirts of the town.
Mr Nugent's body was discovered lying face down in a pool of blood in long grass near St Michael's psychiatric hospital. His feet and hands were bound.
Dr Harbison was expected late last night and it is understood that a post mortem examination will be carried out later this afternoon.
Supt Burke said last night that gardai were still searching for a murder weapon but that it was believed the killing was not related to drugs offences or other serious crimes. He also said that as of late last evening there were no suspects in the inquiry.
An incident room has been established at Clonmel Garda Station and Supt Burke appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information they might have.
The body was discovered at 12.30 p.m. in a field at the back of Heywood Terrace by three men walking dogs. The field is used as a short cut by locals.
Mr Rory Donovan, Mr Lee Ahearn and Mr Francie Hawkins said they were walking through the field when the dogs suddenly took off. "The dogs smelt something and ran off. I followed and saw this hand sticking up out of the grass," said Mr Donovan. They said the body was tied up and covered in blood. They immediately contacted gardai, who sealed off the scene.
Mr John Maher and his wife, Rita, who live in Heywood Terrace, spoke of their shock at hearing of the brutal killing. Mr Maher said at 12.30 a.m. yesterday, he saw two young men sitting on a wall at the other side of the road from his front door. They were drinking. He went inside and told his wife that something strange was going on.
"Rita came back out with me and they were sitting on the wall drinking. We felt funny about it and then at about 1.30 a.m. we went to bed. We heard nothing strange during the night and we have told gardai about what we have seen."