A man was released without charge yesterday after being questioned by detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of a 28-year-old man in Waterford early on New Year's Day.
Mr Gary Doyle, a father of one, was stabbed to death within 200 yards of his house as he walked home with his partner and a group of others after New Year's Eve celebrations at McGinty's Pub on the Tramore Road in Waterford city.
The victim was involved in an altercation shortly before 3 a.m. near his family home at Priory Lawn, Ballybeg. His mother Lucy was being comforted there by friends and relatives yesterday.
During the row, he was stabbed in the neck and suffered significant loss of blood. Despite efforts by gardaí at the scene and medical personnel at Waterford Regional Hospital to save him, Mr Doyle died at 7 a.m. on New Year's Day.
The scene of the fatal stabbing continued to be examined yesterday by members of the Garda Technical Bureau. Items were removed from wasteland near where the stabbing took place and retained for examination.
The State Pathologist, Prof John Harbison, arrived in Waterford yesterday morning and conducted a post-mortem examination.
The man questioned by detectives before being released yesterday is from the Ballybeg area.
A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Gardaí appealed for anyone with information to ring 051-874888.