Gardaí hopeful that CCTV cameras captured fatal beating of 21-year-old man

Gardaí are hopeful CCTV cameras captured a fatal beating on a 21-year-old just moments after he left a party in Cabra, north Dublin, yesterday.

Jay Saunders was with a friend at around 7am when he was attacked on Fassaugh Avenue, suffering severe head injuries.

Detectives suspect he was attacked and beaten around the head, possibly with a golf club. He collapsed on the path, just a short distance from his home.

Gardaí said Mr Saunders, who turned 21 three weeks ago, suffered “trauma injuries to the head”.

He had been attending a St Patrick’s Day party at a flat above shops on the busy road, which continued into yesterday morning.

A 23-year-old man was being questioned yesterday in relation to the attack, while another man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of withholding information.

Detectives are eager to interview everyone who was at the party.

Garda sources said there was “very good” CCTV on Fassaugh Avenue, which has a number of convenience stores, some with cameras. Gardaí also have cameras positioned on the street.

Detectives have established a crucial time period, between 6am and 7.30am, which they are concentrating on. They hope footage will capture the attack.

It is understood a golf club was recovered in the area and was taken away for fingerprint and DNA testing. A technical unit conducted a detailed sweep of the area.

Gardaí got a call at 7.40am and found Mr Saunders slumped outside the Cabra House Pub on Fassaugh Avenue. He was taken to the Mater Hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

Detectives later searched the flat and at least four men, who were inside left, with them, one of whom was subsequently arrested.

Supt David Taylor appealed to a taxi driver who dropped people off at the shops on Fassaugh Avenue early in the morning to come forward. He said gardaí also wanted to talk to people who stopped to render assistance to Mr Saunders. He also asked people making deliveries or anyone going to work who saw anything to contact them.