Gardaí hunting the killer of a well-known horse breeder arrested a man yesterday. Dick Forristal (67) was found with serious stab wounds on Thursday afternoon by a friend who called to his home near Tramore in Co Waterford.
Mr Forristal, who lived alone at Carrigavantry Stud, a mile from the seaside town, had just returned from the funeral of schoolgirl Tara Whelan, who died in a suicide bombing in Turkey.
At a press conference yesterday Supt Gerry Lynch confirmed that a man had been arrested in connection with the death. The suspect, who is in his 20s, was detained at 3pm in the Co Waterford area and was last night being held in Tramore Garda station under the Criminal Justice Act.
He can be held for an initial period of six hours, with a possible extension of six hours if required.
The superintendent played down the arrest saying: "Just because we have one in custody means nothing - we are in the early stages of this and we appeal to people to please, please help us solve in this horrific crime."
Supt Lynch spoke of Tramore's deep shock at the news of the death of the popular man. "Mr Forristal was extremely widely known around the area - he was a friend to everybody. A gentle giant - they're absolutely shocked," he said.
Mr Forristal was found in the downstairs kitchen-cum-living area of the house with stab wounds.
Shortly after 2pm, a friend had dropped Mr Forristal off at the property - the driver was due to return there to collect him and drive to a horse-breeding area near Kilkenny. On returning at 2.40pm, the friend found the victim in a pool of blood.
Gardaí were alerted and a full scale murder investigation swung into action. Yesterday the house remained sealed off and gardaí brought in cutting equipment to search fields in the area.
Also forensic specialists examined the inside of the stud farm.
Supt Lynch confirmed that one of the theories being explored by investigators is that the victim disturbed a burglary at his home. "That is one of the theories. We hope for anything possible - anything forensically. We are looking for a weapon and clothing - anything that we can come across. Every bit of information will be analysed by us and we will go through it methodically," he added.
A large team of detectives were in Tramore yesterday and they were joined by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Gardaí have asked anyone who was in the area from yesterday morning to the time of the murder to contact them.
Local parish priest Mgr Michael Olden paid tribute to the dead man. "He was a very quiet man, a man who kept to himself.
"He was a highly rated horse breeder and respected cattle breeder also. I would describe him as very obliging - all his neighbours spoke highly of him."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tramore Garda station on 051-381333.