Gardaí search Wicklow playground after fatal attack on father of six
Gardaí search the grounds of St Fergal's Church in Bray, Co Wicklow, after a body was found stabbed to death next door in a Ballywaltrim playground on Sunday evening. Picture: Padraig O'Reilly
Extensive searches were conducted throughout Monday around a park and a playground in Bray, Co Wicklow, where a father died following an attack.
William 'Willie' Moorehouse, aged 36, with an address at the Half Moon Halting Site at Windgates, south of Bray, was found by a passerby in the park at around 6pm on Sunday.
Mr Moorehouse, whose wife is pregnant with their seventh child, died after suffering a number of lacerations and blade wounds to his body.
Gardaí are investigating if the death is linked to a dispute with other members of the Travelling community.
They will try to establish if there was prior communication between the deceased and these people, and will seek the assistance of his wider family.
Officers are gathering information on the movements of Mr Moorehouse on Sunday, along with the days and weeks leading up to his death, to see who he was in contact with.
The Garda Technical Bureau conducted a detailed technical examination of the area on Monday and appeared to remove a number of potential weapons.
They, and other items recovered, will be tested to see if they are linked to the death. DNA and fingerprint examinations will be conducted on them.
While gardaí are awaiting the results of an autopsy before declaring a murder investigation, senior officers have allocated a similar level of resources to their inquiries.
Gardaí believe there were adults, both in the park and in the playground, at the time of an altercation involving Mr Moorehouse. They believe they could have crucial information on the circumstances leading up to the incident.
A garda statement said: “Gardaí in Bray are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in his 30s following an incident in Bray, Co Wicklow, on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
“Shortly after 6pm, gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident on Boghall Rd, Bray, where a man was found with serious injuries and unresponsive.
"He was treated at the scene by emergency services personnel, but was pronounced deceased a short time later.”
It said the scene had been preserved for forensic and technical examination and that the office of the State pathologist and local coroner had been notified.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Bray Garda Station on 01-6665300 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111,” it said.
“No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow.”
It is the third violent death so far this year and the first of a man.
Meanwhile, in a separate investigation, gardaí are investigating an incident in Lifford, Co Donegal, on Monday morning.
A garda statement said: "Two men were seriously assaulted at a house at around 10am. One man, aged in his 20s, was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, for treatment of serious injuries.
"The second man, aged in his 60s, was brought by ambulance to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment of less-serious injuries."
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