AN IRISHMAN HAS died after being stabbed to death while having dinner at a restaurant in Sydney.

The man, who has been named as Keith Collins of Terrigal in New South Wales, was stabbed while having dinner with a woman in Hornsby.

Collins, who has a number of children, is believed to be from Dublin and had been living and working in Australia for quite a number of years.

The Sydney Morning Herald said that Collins and the woman, named as Jovi Pilapil, were stabbed by a man believed to be Pilapil’s ex-husband.

The paper said that the pair were on a date when the incident occurred.

The New South Wales police said that a man has been charged following the alleged stabbing of a man and woman at Hornsby. Police have not officially named either victim of the stabbing.

Shortly before 9.30pm yesterday, emergency services were called to Westfield shopping centre on Florence Street, Hornsby, following reports of an alleged stabbing.

Police have been told a 53-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were having dinner when they were allegedly attacked by a 44-year-old man.

The injured man was treated by NSW Ambulance Paramedics but died at the scene.

The woman received stab wounds to her chest and lacerations to her forearm; she was also treated by paramedics before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.

A 44-year-old man was arrested nearby and was taken to Hornsby Police Station, where he was charged with murder and attempted murder.

The man was refused bail to appear before Hornsby Local Court.

On Facebook, Collins’ daughter said:

“I love you more than anything dad, I’ll forever be your girl no matter what.”

Witnesses described seeing a man entering the restaurant, and stabbing the two people.

Comments have been turned off as a man has been charged in connection with the stabbing.