Man arrested over stabbing of five at party

GARDAÍ have arrested a man suspected of stabbing five people, including three teenagers, at a birthday party last weekend.

The 44-year-old was taken into custody after he was released from hospital where he was treated for a head wound he suffered in the altercation.

Detectives have interviewed a number of the stabbing victims, but have yet to take statements from all of them.

All five were stabbed with a kitchen knife at about 4.20am on Sunday following an all-night party at a house in Deer Park Avenue in Tallaght, west Dublin.

A man appeared at the door and got involved in a row with party-goers. Gardaí said he may have either grabbed a knife from the house or brought one with him.

He had previously been out socialising with his wife before returning home.

A youth celebrating his 18th birthday was lucky to escape with his life after a knife wound missed his heart.

A 20-year-old friend suffered the most significant damage after being stabbed a number of times in the stomach.

Two other teenagers received stab wounds to their stomachs.

The birthday boy’s father was also stabbed.

Gardaí said the attacker got a belt over the back of his head with a cricket bat in the melee.

The suspect was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be held for two days, excluding rest breaks. Gardaí are understood to have recovered the suspected weapon and have sent it for DNA and fingerprint tests.