Romantic jealousy behind tragic murder suicide in Bray

GARDAÍ suspect that romantic jealousy may have sparked a tragic murder-suicide among of group of young people in Co Wicklow.

In what gardaí describe as “an absolutely horrific” tragedy, Sebastian Creane was fatally stabbed by Shane Clancy, who then took his own life. Both men were aged just 22.

Mr Clancy also inflicted multiple stab wounds on Sebastian’s brother, Dylan, 26, and stabbed his former girlfriend, Jennifer Hennigan, 22.

It is understood Mr Clancy had been repeatedly contacting Ms Hannigan since they split.

The horror unfolded at the Creane family home on Cuala Grove in Bray in the early hours of last Sunday.

Postmortem results yesterday revealed that Mr Clancy, from Dalkey, south Dublin, fatally stabbed himself at the rear of the house.

While investigations are at an early and sensitive stage, gardaí suspect that Mr Clancy came to believe that Mr Creane was in a relationship with Ms Hennigan, also from Bray.

It is understood that Sebastian Creane, Mr Clancy and Ms Hennigan had been out socialising on Saturday with other friends. Early on Sunday, the two men arrived back to the Creane household, followed by Ms Hennigan at around 3.30am.

Dylan Creane had been upstairs asleep with his girlfriend, Laura Mackey of rock band Boss Volenti, at the time. Dylan and Sebastian’s parents, Jim and Nuala, were abroad on holidays at the time.

It’s understood that Mr Clancy came to believe that Sebastian was now involved with his former girlfriend.

He grabbed a number of knives from the kitchen and launched a vicious attack on Sebastian, fatally stabbing him a number of times in the chest.

Dylan heard the altercation and ran down the stairs and tried to intervene. Mr Clancy stabbed him eight times.

During the attack, the assailant stabbed Ms Hennigan during which the top of a blade of one of the knives became embedded in her back.

He fled out through the rear of the house, where he took his own life. Ms Hennigan managed to crawl to a neighbour’s house and raise the alarm.

Gardaí and ambulance crews arrived around 4.50am, but Sebastian was already dead.

Ms Hennigan and Dylan were brought to hospital and underwent surgery and are still recovering.

Ms Mackey was also taken to hospital suffering from severe shock.

Gardaí were yesterday awaiting to talk to them in a bid to piece together the full chain of events.

Mr Creane, a student at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, was a former pupil at St Gerard’s School in Bray, which paid a glowing tribute.

In a statement, headmaster Tom Geraghty offered his sympathies to the family.

“At this time we at St Gerard’s School and the whole school community both past and present wish to commiserate with the family and friends of Sebastian Creane on their tragic and untimely loss.

“The staff of the school remember Sebastian as a hardworking, conscientious and diligent pupil who was consistently popular with both pupils and teachers of the class of 2005.

“Sebastian was always a perfect gentleman who cheerfully and willingly gave of his best in all school activities.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sebastian at this time.”

Detective Inspector Frank Keenehan of Bray Garda Station said: “We have been hampered putting together what happened because the two main witnesses have been in hospital.”

He said their medical condition took priority and gardaí awaited clearance by medical staff to interview them.

Det Insp Keenehan said it was an awful tragedy for all three families.

“This has been an absolutely horrific, tragic set of circumstances. These are two families who have lost 22-year-old sons and another family who’ve had their daughter subjected to an horrific ordeal.”

Local Labour TD, Liz McManus said: “The whole community of Bray is deeply shocked by what’s happened. This is a tragic, tragic loss of life and our hearts are with the families affected.”