Gardaí in east Galway have begun a murder investigation into the fatal stabbing of a 43-year-old Portuguese man in Portumna yesterday.
The incident happened in the early hours at a house in Dominick Street, Portumna.
A 45-year-old Portuguese man was arrested at the scene and was being questioned at Loughrea Garda station last night. It is believed the dead man and the man who was arrested have been living and working in Portumna for the past number of years.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a postmortem at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe yesterday evening.
Supt Noel Kelly, who is heading the investigation, said gardaí in Portumna went to the house at about 3.45am after receiving a call. "They found a man in an injured state. Medical assistance was provided and he was taken by ambulance to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe," said Supt Kelly.
The injured man underwent emergency surgery but died shortly after 7.30am.
Supt Kelly confirmed that a 45-year-old man was arrested at a house in Dominick Street yesterday morning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He was later interviewed, with the help of an interpreter.
The scene of the incident in Portumna was sealed off pending an examination by a Garda forensic team.
Councillor Willie Burke, who is based in Portumna, said the local community was shocked by the incident. "Most of us were unaware of it until we heard at Mass that a man was killed. It has shocked people as this is a very quiet town and nothing like this has happened before.
"It is very much an isolated incident. There are a few hundred non-nationals living in Portumna and there has been great integration," he said.