Murder inquiry launched as man dies

A MURDER inquiry was launched last night after a man died 48 hours after a brutal assault in Dublin.

And, in Limerick, a second man was fighting for his life after an assault on Friday night.

The condition in the Mid-West Regional Hospital of Limerick teenager, Darren Coughlan was last night described as “critical.”

Meanwhile, a 28-year-old Clondalkin man died in Tallaght Hospital last evening after being stabbed in the back around 8.15pm on Friday.

He was set upon by a number of men near a roundabout between Fonthill Road and New Nangor Road in Dublin.

Gardaí said two men were questioned in relation to the attack.

In the Limerick attack, Mr Coughlan, 18, from Moyross, received massive head injuries and is on a life-support machine.

The assault happened near the Limerick Institute of Technology student village on the Old Cratloe Road.

It is understood he was with a group of others when a car pulled up and the occupants targeted him.

Detective Inspector Bob Noonan said: “There appears to have been an argument and three or four youths got out of the car and chased the injured youth.”

The gang cornered Mr Coughlan and kicked him around the head while he lay on the ground.

The youths involved in the attack wore hoodies and baseball caps. Gardaí say they were in a red car.

The attack happened some time between 10.15pm and 10.30pm on Friday night.

Gardaí have taken statements from the youths who were with Mr Coughlan before the attack.

Det Insp Noonan has appealed to anyone who may have seen a red car in the area on Friday night to contact them.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the murder of 25-year-old Limerickman, David Nunan continues.

Mr Nunan was shot dead in a laneway in Parteen village on the outskirts of the city on Friday, October 28.

He had only been released from prison the previous Monday. Gardaí believe he was lured into a death trap by his killer.

The post mortem found he had been shot twice in the back. The bullets recovered from the scene indicated that a powerful semi automatic handgun was used.

Gardaí suspect he may have fallen foul of a drugs gang in the Southill area where the dead man lived.