Returned emigrant stabbed to death

A returned emigrant, 29, was stabbed to death early yesterday after he had been drinking with a friend.

The victim was found by gardaí in the kitchen of a three-bedroom house in Cootehill, Co Cavan. He has been named locally as Emmet Connolly of Rockcorry, Co Monaghan.

It is believed he sustained wounds to the stomach and chest.

Another 29-year-old man was arrested following the discovery of the body at 1.05am yesterday. The house was sealed off for technical examinations.

The man being held, a father of three originally from Dublin, was being questioned at Bailieboro Garda Station in Co Cavan.

He was being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

It is understood that both men had been drinking together earlier in the day in a pub in Cootehill.

It is also believed the dead man had only just returned from Australia on Thursday week last.

Twins, a boy and girl aged 5, were also in the house when the stabbing took place but did not witness the incident. A third adult was asleep in the house at the time.

Gardaí are appealing to anybody with information to contact Bailieboro Garda Station on 042 9694570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.