Swinford, Mayo residents speak of ‘riots’ and ‘wild parties’ where a man was stabbed to death

Shocked residents of a housing estate where a 24-year-old man was killed last night spoke today of “riots” and “wild parties” where the fatal stabbing took place.

The young man passed away after being stabbed at the Carrabeg Estate in Swinford, Co May around 10.50pm on Monday.

He died at the scene despite the efforts of medical personnel to save him.

Gardai, who rushed to the scene, arrested a man in his 30s, a foreign national who had been staying in a local emergency accommodation.

He is being held for questioning this afternoon at Castlebar Garda station.

The Gardai are understood to have seized a knife, the alleged murder weapon.

The body was transferred this morning to the morgue at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, around 11 a.m., where the acting deputy state pathologist, Dr. Kathleen Han Suyin, is conducting a post-mortem examination.

As the Swinford community grappled with the enormity of what had happened this morning, two former Carrabeg Estate residents, Jimmy and Rose Harte, spoke of their sadness, shock and disgust over what happened.

“There have been riots, many wild parties,” Rose said.

“The guards have been called in numerous times. A party started last night and has ended where we are today.

“It’s so sad, someone’s son, someone’s brother.”

Jimmy Harte, coinciding with his wife, said: “What has been happening is unreal. We had a stabbing two months ago.

“We thought it was the end of the parties but they started again.”

Michael Smyth, a member of the Mayo County Council, described the incident as “horrifying.”

He said services are being implemented to support the families involved, as well as the residents of the farm who were also traumatized.

“No one would want this to happen in their community, but it has happened to us. As a community, we will come together and try to overcome this and learn from what happened. “

Gardai continues his forensic examination of the house where the stabbing occurred this afternoon.

Superintendent Joe McKenna, who is leading the investigation, confirmed today that the death is being treated as a homicide.

He called on anyone who may have information or anyone who witnessed unusual activity in Swinford between 8pm and 11:15 pm last night to contact the Swinford Garda station at 094 925 2990 or the confidential line of Garda at 1800 666 111.