Man stabbed to death faced charges over vigilante drugs killing

A MAN was arrested yesterday evening in connection with the fatal stabbing of Mr Desmond Whelan (27) near his home in Dolphin House, Rialto, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Gardai said last night the man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. Gardai investigating the killing of Mr Whelan had discovered a knife in the Grand Canal and a technical expert was last night examining it.

Mr Whelan, a father of three, was knifed in the chest after a row near his home in Dolphin House, Rialto, yesterday morning. He was taken to St James's Hospital but died shortly afterwards.

Mr Whelan was one of 12 local men charged with manslaughter in connection with the killing of Josie Dwyer (41), a drug addict and AIDS victim, last May. They were also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Alan Byrne (27) and an offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1994.

Kilmainham gardai believe the killing was linked to a row with a neighbour in a chip shop a short time earlier. Mr Whelan later went to a flat in Block 1 of the Dolphin House complex, where he received a single stab wound. He made his way back to a friend's flat where he collapsed.

One possibility gardai are examining is that the victim was killed in revenge for his anti-drugs activities. The man sought in connection with the murder is understood to be a drug addict known to the police. But the crime did not appear to be premeditated.

Members of the Concerned Parents Against Drugs group declined to speak to reporters yesterday. Dolphin House residents said "drugs activity in the flats had declined in the last six months, following action by CPAD and an increased Garda presence.

Later the Coalition of Communities against Drugs issued a statement condemning the killing, and appealed to the local community to respond with dignity and calm. COCAD claimed Mr Whelan was killed by "elements well known to be involved in drug-dealing" who appeared to be "taking satisfaction" from his death.

"The area where he lived has been one of the worst affected by the scourge of drugs over the last decade, with little or no response from the State," COCAD said.

Mr Whelan, a former sailor with Irish Ferries, was married with three children.