Pensioner stabbed to death in Dublin flat

A murder inquiry is expected to be launched after an elderly man was found stabbed to death in a retirement flat.

The body of the victim, aged in his 70s, was discovered in bed by fire fighters who were called to tackle a blaze in the senior citizen’s flat.

It is believed he was stabbed in the chest by a knife which was discovered at the address in Ravensdale Close, Kimmage, Dublin 12, at about 2pm.

Investigators have appealed for any witnesses or anyone in the area in the hours leading up to the incident to contact Gardaí in Crumlin.

The scene has been sealed off for a forensic investigation and an examination by State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar.

The killing happened in a senior citizen complex run by Dublin City Council.

A spokeswoman said: “The council would like to extend its sympathies to the family of the deceased involved and will assist the gardai with any investigation.”

Dublin Fire Brigade said two crews from Dolphins Barn found the man after they controlled and contained the fire inside the small flat.

“There were other injuries to his body,” said a spokesman.

It is believed the fire was started to destroy any evidence inside.

Local councillor Ruairi McGinley said the small flat complex was usually a very quiet area.

“It will be a surprise and a shock for the people there,” said Mr McGinley, of Fine Gael.

“Many of them are very elderly and are 80 years and upwards.

“You certainly wouldn’t expect anything like that there. People wouldn’t be walking through it.

“My sympathies go out to the man’s family and his friend.”