Murder victim's family appeal for witnesses

The family of a Polish man who was stabbed to death in Dublin made an emotional appeal for help today.

Robert Kwiatkowski was murdered in a knife attack in Blanchardstown in West Dublin on Friday night.

The 33-year-old carpenter, who had lived in Ireland for two years, was due to fly home to Krakow tomorrow for his young daughter's Holy Communion.

His heartbroken mother Kazimiera Kwiatkowska and devastated sister, Renata Gedzior arrived in Dublin yesterday to urge the Polish and Slovak community to come forward with information to catch his killers.

"You can prepare yourself when someone is dying," said Mrs Gedzior. "This was very sudden. This was shocking to everybody.

"When news comes like this you are not prepared. We saw him yesterday at the morgue. It is just devastating, the way he died."

Mrs Kwiatkowska broke down in tears as her only daughter appealed for information.

Her son was stabbed in an apartment at Rathlin House, Waterville, at around 9pm on Friday evening and was pronounced dead a short time later in Connolly Hospital.

One man was arrested in relation to the killing and released without charge. A file is being prepared for the director of public prosecutions. Two other people have also assisted gardaí with their investigations.

Arrangements have been made for Mr Kwiatkowski's remains to be repatriated to Poland.

His funeral will take place next Friday, the day after his seven-year-old daughter, Gabriella receives her Holy Communion. He had a fiancé in Poland and a 10-year-old son from a previous marriage.

The carpenter was working for Acorn Timber Services in Dun Laoghaire where he was described as a good worker and friend.

Mrs Gedzior described her brother as the joker of the family, who was trying to make a living for his fiancé and children back home.

Mrs Gedzior, who lives in the US, said she needed medical attention after hearing of her brother's murder.

Her mother, a widow who is still mourning the loss of her own mother last year, wants to visit the scene of the stabbing before they return home tomorrow.

Mr Kwiatkowski was stabbed in an apartment he shared with a number of other people, including the man who was arrested in connection with the incident.

It is believed there was an argument between the pair before he died.

"We are asking if anybody has additional information for the investigation to come forward," said his sister.

"I know he was living with Slovakian people, if they know anything about what happened or what contributed to the argument, to come forward and let the police or us know."

She said the family had hoped there had been a mistake in identifying the victim, but when they saw his face in the morgue they knew there was no mistake.

Mrs Gedzior said her brother was very happy living in Ireland and looking forward to returning home for a holiday.

Chaplain to the Polish community, Father Jaroslaw Maszkiewicz, has met the family and at a mass tonight in St Audeons Church in Dublin will appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre, who is investigating the case, urged anyone who could help to call Blanchardstown Garda Station.

"We have got very good information and co-operation already from the general public and Polish community but there may be some additional information they may have prior to the events last Friday."