Murder inquiry launched after fatal stabbing in Dublin

Gardaí have launched a murder inquiry following the fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man in the Walkinstown area of west Dublin last night.

Gardaí recovered a firearm from the scene of the stabbing.

“We cannot determine yet what type of firearm was recovered,” a Garda spokesman said.

The victim was attacked in a laneway behind a row of houses on Beechfield Road at around 9pm.

The laneway has been cordoned off while forensic experts conduct a technical examination and a wine-coloured Nissan Pathfinder has been taken away from the scene for tests.

A large area of a park, which backs on to the lane, has also been sealed off.

The dead man is understood to have attempted to drive his vehicle down the lane last night, but found it blocked by another vehicle.

An argument ensued and the man was stabbed four times in the head and body.

He was pronounced dead at St James's Hospital a short time later.

Detectives have not yet established a motive for the attack but believe it was not gangland-related.

Officers today made an appeal for witnesses or other information in relation to the attack.