Man turns knife on himself after killing friend

THREE families were yesterday hit by an “appalling tragedy” after an apparent murder-suicide involving two young men.

A 22-year-old man was fatally stabbed at his parents’ home by a 22-year-old friend, who was subsequently found dead at the rear of the house. He is believed to have suffered self-inflicted wounds.

During the attack, the murdered man’s brother, 26, and a woman, 22, were stabbed, but are expected to recover. The woman is believed to be a former girlfriend of the attacker.

The murdered man was named yesterday as Sebastian Crean. The tragedy unfolded at his parents’ home on Cuala Grove, Bray, Co Wicklow, early yesterday morning. His parents were away at the time and rushed home after being contacted by gardaí. The woman’s family were immediately notified, as was the second man’s family when gardaí found his body.

The attacker was not named yesterday. Investigating gardaí said they were awaiting the results of a post mortem examination before confirming cause of death. A Garda spokesman said yesterday they were not looking for anyone else.

“We’re not looking for anyone else. As I say, this is a very tragic incident,” said Detective Inspector Frank Keenehan. “There are three families involved and our deepest sympathies go out to those families, who have asked that they be given time to grieve.”

Gardaí in Bray initially thought the attacker fled the scene, but discovered a second body after searching at the rear of the house. It’s understood they also found the weapon there.

Emergency services were alerted shortly after 4.30am. Mr Crean had returned home in a car, together with two other men, including his attacker. They had been on a night out. Once inside, the attack took place and Mr Crean received a number of wounds to the chest.

Meanwhile, in Mayo, gardaí are tracking down a gang suspected of carrying out two unprovoked attacks on young men in Ballinrobe.

At around 3.30am, the gang of three to four men assaulted two men, aged 27 and 32, while they were walking down New Street. Both were removed to Castlebar General Hospital for their injuries. The 32-year-old man was released from hospital a short time later. However, the 27-year-old man was transferred to Beaumount Hospital Dublin with serious head injuries.

A short time later two men, aged 20 and 31, were assaulted on Neale Road, Ballinrobe, by the same men. Both received stab wounds their necks. At least one was slashed “ear to ear” with a Stanley blade. They were both taken to Castlebar General Hospital.

The weekend’s stabbings follow two knife attacks, both in Co Mayo, last week, in which a 24-year-old father was killed and a 32-year-old undercover garda was seriously injured.