Two questioned over stabbing of horse breeder

Two men are being questioned by detectives today in connection with the fatal stabbing of a well-known Co Waterford horse breeder.

Gardai investigating the death of Dick Forristal, 66, whose body was discovered in his home at Carrigavantry Stud near Tramore, confirmed the arrests.

One man was taken into custody yesterday afternoon and a second was detained a few hours later. Both men were arrested in the Waterford area.

Officers believe Mr Forristal may have surprised one or more robbers when he returned to his home on Thursday after attending the funeral of Tara Whelan, 17, who was killed in a bomb blast in Turkey.

A number of burglaries were believed to have been carried out in the Tramore area recently.

A friend of Mr Forristal discovered his body at the rural farmhouse at about 2.30pm.

A preliminary post-mortem showed he was stabbed to death.

Mr Forristal was a well-known horse breeder and his horse, Blue Corrig, was scheduled to race in the Galway Festival next week.

He was one of hundreds of people who attended Tara’s funeral in Kilmeaden, several miles from his home.