Gardaí have begun a murder inquiry after a shopkeeper was stabbed to death when he tackled a raider in his shop last night.
The killing occurred in Arklow, Co Wicklow, just before 8pm. The dead man had not been named by gardaí last night, but was named locally as John Deasy (44), who lived over the shop, Browders, where he was killed.
Garda sources said the raider walked into Mr Deasy's newsagent shop at St Peter's Place and threatened a woman working behind the counter.
The man was armed with a knife and shouted at the shop worker as he repeatedly demanded money from her.
Gardaí believe Mr Deasy was in the living quarters over the shop as the attempted robbery was unfolding. They believe Mr Deasy most likely heard the shouting coming from downstairs and went to investigate.
As he walked into the shop, he shouted at the armed man. He then tried to tackle him. However, the raider stabbed Mr Deasy through chest as he fled the scene.
The emergency services were immediately alerted. Mr Deasy was treated at the scene by paramedics. Despite those efforts to save his life, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Garda sources last night said it appeared the stab wound was very deep and that Mr Deasy had been stabbed through the heart.
The scene of the killing was immediately sealed off and will undergo an examination today by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.
A postmortem is due to be carried out this afternoon.
Gardaí held a murder case conference in Arklow Garda station last night and are expected to meet again this morning to plot the course of their inquiry.
The attacker escaped and has not yet been identified.
Gardaí have appealed for anybody who was in the area at the time of the murder and robbery to contact them at Arklow Garda station.