Man arrested over fatal stabbing

A Dublin man was arrested yesterday for questioning in relation to the fatal stabbing of Dublin man Martin McLoughlin in a city centre hotel in the early hours of New Year's Day.

The 25-year-old man, who is from west Dublin, voluntarily presented himself to gardaí at Fitzgibbon Street station shortly before 5pm.

He was being detained last night in Mountjoy Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows him to be held for up to 12 hours.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the fatal stabbing of Mr McLoughlin (21), of Cherrywood Park, Clondalkin, in Jury's Croke Park Hotel following a New Year's Eve party.

Mr McLoughlin had checked into the hotel with friends on December 31st, but early the next day became embroiled in a row with fellow revellers outside his bedroom. He received a single stab wound to the chest and was rushed to the Mater hospital, where he died from his injuries at 7am on Monday.

The results of a preliminary postmortem examination have yet to be made available.

Gardaí, who launched a murder investigation following the death, have forensically examined a stretch of the corridor in the hotel where the man was stabbed.

It is understood a number of witnesses have already spoken to gardaí, but further appeals for information have been made.