Man detained over second city murder

A MAN was still being questioned by Limerick gardaí last night in connection with the second murder in the city within a week.

Earlier in the day a former army corporal, Stephen O’Grady, 45, died from stab wounds after a row at his home in Lenihan Avenue, Prospect.

The stabbing occurred at around 2am and Mr O’Grady was pronounced dead at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

His was the second violent death in Limerick within the past week.

Jeffrey Hannan, 19, was murdered near his Southill home last Thursday.

Four hours after yesterday’s fatal stabbing a man went voluntarily to Roxboro Road Garda station.

This man, 25, was known to Mr O’Grady.

He was still being held last night under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows a person to be detained for up to 24 hours.

A knife, believed to be the weapon used in the stabbing has been recovered.

Mr O’Grady served in the army for many years and was attached to the 12th infantry battalion at Sarsfield Barracks and retired with the rank of corporal.

He and his wife Regina have six children, the youngest of whom are in their teens.

State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a postmortem yesterday afternoon at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

Meanwhile, the major hunt for the brutal killer of Jeffrey Hannan at Southill last Thursday is still continuing.

Mr Hannan, 19, who was described as “a fine young man” was set upon when he joined a group of others at a bonfire a short distance from his Southill home.

Members of a known violent family are the main focus of the investigation and some of the family were seen near the bonfire prior to the fatal attack on Mr Hannan.

One theory is that one member of this family may have resented a friendship Mr Hannan had previously with a girl.

He received massive head injuries and his body was found in open ground less than 100 yards from his parents home at Galtee Drive.

Local parish priest, Fr Pat Hogan has appealed to anybody who may have information on who the killer is to come forward and contact the gardaí.

Teams of gardaí have carried out extensive searches in the Southill and Clonlong areas as part of the investigation.

Gardaí confirmed yesterday they discovered amphetamines with a street value of €10,000.