A CONVICTED killer was found knifed to death on the streets of a seaside town after a violent row that began in a pub.
Daniel O’Sullivan, 32, formerly from Mallow but who had been living in Youghal, Co Cork, was knifed several times in the stomach following a violent altercation on Monday night.
It’s understood his killing followed an earlier row which spilled over resulting in the horrific incident on North Main Street in Youghal.
The incident happened at “a commercial premises” believed to be a pub on the street just off around 10pm.
O’Sullivan managed to leave and was found lying in an unresponsive state on the street.
Gardai and emergency services arrived at the scene on Monday night where they found the critically injured man.
Paramedics sought to stabilise him before transferring him by ambulance to Cork University Hospital.
O’Sullivan, who had been living in an apartment in Browns Court in Youghal, was later pronounced dead in the hospital.
A 29-year-old man who is understood to be known to the victim has been arrested and is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in East Cork.
He handed himself in to Midleton Garda Station in the early hours of this morning.
The scene outside the pub and another premises with flats about 50 metres from where O’Sullivan was found was cordoned off by Gardai and preserved for a full forensic examination by the Garda Technical team.
The coroner and the State Pathologists Office were notified and a post-mortem will be carried out by a State Pathologist in Cork University Hospital.
Once Gardai received the results of the autopsy they say that will determine the course of their investigations.
Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to contact them at Midleton Garda Station on 021-4621550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or any Garda Station.
PREVIOUS KILLING
O’Sullivan previously served five years behind bars for the manslaughter of Vincent Morgain, 37, in 2015.
Then aged 22, he pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of the homeless Frenchman in Cork city in September 2015 at Lower Oliver Plunkett Street.
A native of Brittany, Morgain died in hospital from injuries sustained in the assault five days earlier.
He had worked as a chef in Killarney, moved to Cork and was staying at the Simon Community hostel on Anderson’s Quay in Cork city at the time of his death.
VIOLENT ATTACK
On the day in question, he was drinking with a female companion when they were approached by O’Sullivan and two other men, one of whom grabbed a bottle the woman was drinking.
O’Sullivan punched Morgain into the head and he fell to the ground, striking his head off the roadway.
As Morgain tried to get to his feet, O’Sullivan kicked him in the head which again caused his head to hit the ground.
The victim died from traumatic brain injury following a fall with complications due to liver disease and low platelets.
‘LOSS I CANNOT EXPLAIN’
At the time O’Sullivan, from Carrowkeel in Mallow, had 21 previous convictions.
His mother, Liliane Thomas, said: “The death of Vincent has created a loss to me that I cannot explain.
“He is part of me that has disappeared. I am very, very sad. I wanted for him to return to France and I said that to him when we met in Killarney in May 2014. He wanted to be self-sufficient.
“A thousand times I wished for his return home. Vincent was very kind. He was prepared to go without to please others and he thought more of others than of himself.”
The court heard O’Sullivan became addicted to alcohol and cannabis as a teenager and fell in with the wrong crowd while attending an addiction treatment centre in Waterford.
He was drinking heavily and living rough in Cork at the time of the assault.
‘MY HEART IS BROKEN’
Today on social media the dead man’s sister Sam wrote: “Rest in peace big bro, my heart is broken. You were one of a kind Dan. Love you forever brother”.
In other tributes pals wrote of the victim “Danny was a sweetheart, just so sad” and another said: “Oh I’m in shock this morning sorry to the family at this very sad time.”
Local Cllr Patrick Mulcahy said: “The people of Youghal are shocked and disturbed after last nights violent event.
“I express my sincere thoughts with the members of the emergency services and first responders who had a very difficult night and morning.
MURDER PROBE UNDERWAY
“This incident is not something that people in Youghal are familiar with. Youghal is normally a peaceful and tranquil community.
“I would like to express my sympathies to the family of the deceased”.
A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation which was upgraded to a murder probe this evening.
A family Liaison Officer has been appointed to support the family of the dead man.
A Garda spokesperson said: “A post-mortem examination was carried out by the Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster earlier today and preliminary results have been provided to the investigation team. These details are not being released for operational reasons.
“Following the post-mortem, An Garda Siochana has now commenced a murder investigation.”
SCENES BEING EXAMINED
The statement added: “A number of scenes subject to examination by the Garda Technical Bureau remain preserved at this time.
“Investigating Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to please come forward.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Midleton Garda Station on 021 4621550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
