11/06/'19 Gardai examine ..the scene this morning on O'Connell Street, Dublin where a man was fatally assaulted in the early hours of this morning..Picture Gareth Chaney, Collins Dublin

11/06/'19 Gardai examine ..the scene this morning on O'Connell Street, Dublin where a man was fatally assaulted in the early hours of this morning..Picture Gareth Chaney, Collins Dublin

GARDAI have arrested a man in his late 20s in relation to the fatal stabbing on O’Connell Street in Dublin in the early hours of this morning.

The man was arrested on Marlborough Street shortly after the fatal attack.

It is understood he is currently in hospital receiving treatment.

The incident has led to significant traffic and commuter disruption across Dublin city centre with a large part of the capital's main thoroughfare sealed off by gardai.

Expand Close O'Connell St cordoned off after stabbing incident overnight. Pic: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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A trail of bloodstains on the pavement leading from the crime scene up to Cathal Brugha Street and around onto Marlborough Street indicate that it may have been the attacker who bled as he tried to leave the scene after being injured in the attack also.

The stabbing took place at around 1.40am on the upper-end of O'Connell Street, the man was rushed to the Mater Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The man was brought to Dublin City Morgue, where a post-mortem is expected to take place later today by State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

A garda spokeswoman said in a statement: "A member of An Garda Síochána, on beat duty in O’Connell Street had observed two men in the company of each other.

"The member of An Garda Síochána requested that these males be monitored on Garda CCTV in the area. These males were observed to engage in a physical altercation and the member of An Garda Síochána immediately responded.

"On arrival the Garda observed one male had been stabbed and attempted to render first aid assisted by members of the public.

Expand Close O'Connell St cordoned off after stabbing incident overnight. Pic: Gerry Mooney / Facebook

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Whatsapp O'Connell St cordoned off after stabbing incident overnight. Pic: Gerry Mooney

"The Garda had already circulated a description of the second male and a second Garda on beat patrol in the Marlborough Street area arrested the suspect."

The main scene was outside the Dr Quirkey’s establishment between the GPO and Parnell Street.

Items of clothing lay on the pavement amid bloodstains and fast food wrappers and containers.

A garda hat could also be seen on the ground.

The street remained closed pending the arrival of members of the garda technical bureau to commence a forensic examination of the scene.

Diversions are in place with significant traffic disruption in the city centre following the incident and are expected to remain in place for up to two more hours.

Dublin Bus say their services cannot access O'Connell Street from either direction.

"Northbound buses are using Westmoreland St. to Eden Quay to Gardiner St and Parnell St. to normal route," they said.

Southbound buses are using Parnell Sq. East Gardiner St. and back at normal route in D'Olier St.

Luas passengers have also been advised that the Green Line services are not running between the Dominick Street stop and St Stephen's Green due to the incident.

A large section of the footpath on Cathal Brugha Street and Marlborough Street was also closed off.

Superintendent Paul Costello, Store Street Garda Station, has appealed for anyone with information about the stabbing incident to contact gardai.

"Any members of the public in the O’Connell Street, Cathal Brugha Street, Marlborough Street areas between 0100hrs – 0200hrs this morning, particularly any member of the public who may have taken any mobile phone footage of this incident or any mobile phone footage or dashcam footage in these streets at that time are asked to contact An Garda Síochána," Supt Costello said.

"An Garda Síochána are aware that this incident has caused significant disruption within Dublin City Centre this morning, and are working to minimize this disruption as quickly as possible, however An Garda Síochána is conscious that a full and thorough investigation into this Fatal incident must be carried out.

Anyone with information should contact Store St Garda Station on 01 6668000 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666111."

More to follow...

Online Editors