The chief suspect in the murder of a man who was brutally stabbed to death in his Dublin city centre home may not face justice for the savage crime because Brazil refuses to extradite its own citizens.

The Herald can reveal that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that a Brazilian national aged in his 30s be charged with the murder of businessman John Maguire (51).

The well-respected victim was murdered at his home at Ormond Square, Smithfield, on September 23, 2013.

Mr Maguire was found by a female neighbour with stab injuries to his neck, chest and back after the attack shortly before 2.30am.

A Brazilian national was quickly identified as a chief suspect in the case, which was the subject of an investigation by gardai based in the capital's Bridewell station.

Once their probe was completed, officers submitted a detailed file to the DPP, who directed that the Brazilian national be charged with murder.

Expand Close The body of John Maguire is removed from the scene of the fatal stabbing in Ormond Square, Smithfield, in Dublin's north inner city / Facebook

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Whatsapp The body of John Maguire is removed from the scene of the fatal stabbing in Ormond Square, Smithfield, in Dublin's north inner city

However, the suspect, who fled Ireland for Brazil just hours after the murder, is "extremely unlikely" to face trial here because the Brazilian constitution states that the country should not extradite its own citizens.

It is understood that gardai and the Brazilian authorities are aware of the suspect's identity and his location in Brazil, but he has not been arrested.

Warrant

This is despite the fact that an international arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect in relation to the murder.

In March, the Brazilian Supreme Court decided - for the first time in its history - to extradite a Brazilian-born citizen.

However, in that case the court ruled that the female defendant had lost the prerogatives of Brazilian citizenship when she obtained an American passport. It is understood that the ruling will not apply to the suspect in this case.

Gardai seized a number of items from the suspect's home for a technical examination, including clothing, shoes, a home computer and a mobile phone, as well as a rucksack.

Officers also identified the suspect when they trawled through a large amount of footage taken from CCTV cameras in the Smithfield area and along Ormond Quay.

They also recovered an iPhone, which they believe was stolen by Mr Maguire's killer.

Mr Maguire's murder occurred during a premeditated robbery at his home and it is believed that he knew the suspect as a passing acquaintance.

The victim lived at the property on Ormond Square with his partner, Jim Hynes.

Mr Hynes, then chief operations officer for Concern Worldwide, was at work at the time of the attack, with gardai having to inform him of the tragedy.

The couple previously ran the Modern Green Bar on Camden Street.

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