Man due in court over death in south Dublin

A man is expected to appear in court this morning over the death of another man at a flat in south Dublin at the weekend.

Gardaí believe the victim, who died from head injuries, had spent the day watching the rugby international between Ireland and Wales on television and drinking.

The victim has been named as Cathal Sweeney (62), a separated man who was a well- known member of the St Mary's Rugby Club based in Templeogue, south Dublin.

He had captained a team in the club in the 1970s that won a number of tournaments at junior rugby level and some of his family members are also closely associated with the well-known club.

Gardaí indicated that Mr Sweeney had been drinking with other men in his flat at Ashdale Gardens, Terenure, south Dublin before the assault.

Fatal injuries
He sustained what proved to be fatal head injuries during an attack on Saturday evening.

The emergency services were called and gardaí and paramedics arrived at the property just before 6pm. The victim was treated at the scene and was then taken by ambulance to St James’s Hospital, where he died.

The scene of the killing was sealed off overnight and Mr Sweeney’s body remained in the flat until yesterday morning, when a pathologist carried out a preliminary examination.

The body was then taken for a full postmortem. The property where the attack occurred has undergone a forensic examination by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.

Around midnight last night, the DPP directed that a man be charged over the death.