Crime & Law

Victim of fatal assault in Kerry named as locals express shock

Two men arrested following suspected fatal stabbing in Knockanure of local Gerard Kennelly

Gerard Kennelly, a local man from a farming background, is understood to have died from stab wounds. An incident room has been set up at Listowel Garda station.

Jack White
Anne Lucey
Mon May 27 2024 - 17:14

Two men have been arrested after a man died following a suspected assault in Co Kerry.

The victim, a man in his 40s, is understood to have died from stab wounds following the incident in Knockanure at around 12.30am on Monday.

He has been named locally as Gerard Kennelly, a local man from a farming background. It is understood he spent a number of years in Australia where a number of his siblings still reside. He is survived by his parents.

One line of inquiry is that a number of people were involved in the fatal assault. Gardaí are conducting door-to-door inquiries in the village.

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The two arrested men, one in his 30s and one in his 20s, were being questioned on Monday as part of the investigation, An Garda Síochána said.

Local councillor Mike Foley said: “These are quiet communities and something like this rarely, if ever, occurs. The community in Knockanure and here in Ballylongford are in shock this morning and my sympathy goes to the family of the man.”

Cllr Jimmy Moloney offered his condolences to the Kennelly family. “This has shocked the whole community,” he added.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the suspected assault in the Knockanure village area, near Listowel, at approximately 12.30am.

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Mr Kennelly was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was brought to the mortuary at University Hospital Kerry for a postmortem. The scene was being preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau on Monday.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry and an incident room has been established at Listowel Garda station.

Gardaí appealed to anyone who saw anything in Knockanure between 12am and 1am on Monday, or who has relevant camera footage, to contact Listowel Garda station on (068) 50820, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800, 666 111 or any garda station.

Jack White

Jack White

Jack White is a reporter for The Irish Times

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