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This is the face of Michael O'Dwyer, the 25-year-old man, who was stabbed to death at a booze-filled house party.

Tragic Michael, from Stoneyford in Kilkenny, was knifed in the chest in the Seafield Estate in Tramore, Co Waterford on Thursday night.

The shocking death of the popular 25-year-old is the fourth murder since the start of the year.

Emergency services arrived at the scene at around 11.30pm but Michael died in Waterford Regional Hospital shortly afterwards.

It is understood Michael had travelled down to visit friends in Tramore on Thursday evening and ended up in O’Grady’s rented apartment.

Gardai arrived at the corner house shortly after 11.30pm on Thursday after receiving a 999 call.

He was rushed to Waterford Regional Hospital but died from his injuries shortly after 1am yesterday.

(Image: Mary Browne)

A number of men who were also in the house at the time of the attack have been helping officers with their enquiries.

A security source said: “The victim was in a very bad way when the emergency services arrived at the scene and unfortunately there was nothing that could be done to save him.

“It’s another very tragic and needless loss of a young life and his mother and brothers are simply traumatised.

"The victim and the suspect weren’t even friends, more just acquaintances through mutual friends and gardai aren’t looking for anyone else in connection with the killing.”

The scene remained sealed off all day yesterday as forensic teams scoured the area looking for the murder weapon.

(Image: Mary Browne)

The only visible evidence of the horrific stabbing was the plastic sheet covering the ground where Michael lay bleeding to death and a hole in the front door that is understood to have been kicked through.

The victim’s heartbroken mum Geraldine was last night being comforted by her four other sons at their home.

Originally from Newpark Close in Kilkenny city, they moved to the small town a few years ago.

Michael’s death is the second tragedy to hit them in less than a year after their dad – known as “Blackie” – died following a short illness.

A family friend revealed: “I can’t imagine what Geraldine and the poor boys are going through.

“They were a lovely family and it’s just horrific to think Mick died like that. He never really got over his dad’s death and he wasn’t working so things were tough for him. It’s heartbreaking.”

Shocked residents in the Seafield area said they heard noise “like a party was going on” on Thursday evening.

But no one heard the commotion after Michael was stabbed.

Loredana Secman, 27, revealed: “I’m a bit scared now to be honest because my daughter is so young but I’m just glad I didn’t hear anything or

see the victim because I’d have moved out.

“I went to bed at 10pm and switched off my light at 10.30pm and the first I heard of the stabbing was when I went out to go to work this morning.

“It’s normally a quiet area although you would see the gardai driving in and out a few times a day, maybe just checking on things.”

Supt Dave Taylor last night appealed for anyone with information to help gardai with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tramore Garda station on 051-391620 or the Confidential Line 1800 666 111.