Three men in their 20s have been released without charge by gardai investigating the killing of a 36-year-old man in Limerick on Friday night.
A file on the fatal stabbing is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The men, who were held at Roxboro Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, were released early yesterday.
The victim, Mr James O'Connor, a father of three who worked as a painter and decorator and was also a local community worker, was left dying on the road at 8.30 p.m. on Friday at the junction of Hyde Avenue and Crecora Avenue with multiple stab wounds to his lower body. He died an hour later in Limerick Regional Hospital.
Mr O'Connor, of Clarina Park, Ballinacurra Weston, is survived by his wife, Catherine, and their children, David (14), Colin (11) and Lauren (5).
It is understood a number of men jumped out of a car and stabbed Mr O'Connor several times as he was walking to a bar on Parnell Street.
It is believed the attackers might have run over Mr O'Connell as he lay injured on the road. A motive for the attack is not known.
The victim was a soccer player in his earlier days and, according to locals, was very quiet and involved in various community activities. He was chairman of Clarina Park Residents' Association.
Supt Pat O'Boyle, who is heading the investigation, told a press briefing on Saturday that gardai were still seeking a motive.
"He was known as a valued member of the community and had never come before the notice of the Garda."
The Garda Technical Bureau was called to the scene and the Chief State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, carried out a post-mortem.
Ald Sean Griffin, who lives in the area, yesterday condemned the killing and urged people to co-operate fully with the Garda.
Gardai have appealed for witnesses to contact Roxboro station at (061) 401630.