Stabbing victim told friend he feared for his safety 10 minutes before he was killed

A dad of two told a pal he was afraid for his safety just 10 minutes before he was stabbed to death, it has emerged.

The Irish Mirror has learned Darren Quigley met his friend on the street and told him he was being harassed by a woman and added: “She’s at me again.”

The friend told us he met Mr Quigley on the street in Carlow town just after 11.30pm on Monday – and he was stabbed 10 minutes later. Sources say he was stabbed in the back and chest as he stood on the street in the New Oak estate in Carlow.

It’s understood a woman who was later arrested over the death of Mr Quigley has no connection with any of the houses on the street and comes from another part of Carlow. Sources also said the woman was not in a relationship with Mr Quigley. But she was known to him, sources say.

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The pal told us he spoke to Mr Quigley on Monday evening – and it was clear he was worried for his safety. He said: “I was talking to him there about half eleven, just 10 minutes beforehand. He said to me ‘She’s at me again’. I said to him, ‘Darren, go home, don’t mind her, she won’t go near the house.”

When asked if Mr Quigley appeared worried for his safety, the friend said: "He would have been, yeah."

And he paid tribute to Mr Quigley. He said: “He was a nice fella. He lives just down the road here. I’d see him every day and talk to him every day. He used to go around on a pushbike and you’d see him with his two young kids.”

Mr Quigley, who only turned 30 last month, was stabbed at least twice in the incident on Market View in the estate on Monday evening. A woman was later arrested in a follow up operation involving members of the Garda Armed Support Unit, who are called to all incidents when it is suspected a weapon was used in an attack. Sources say there was no confrontation between her and Gardaí and she was quickly arrested.

She was being held in a Garda Station in Carlow on Tuesday evening. She can be detained for up to 24 hours.

Mr Quigley died in St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny early on Tuesday after he was initially treated by first responders at the scene. The scene was still sealed off on Tuesday afternoon and a forensics tent covered the spot where Mr Quigley was found unresponsive by Gardaí close to midnight on Monday. Detectives from the Garda Technical Bureau were combing the area for clues.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to come forward. A spokesman said: “The local Coroner has been notified and the services of the Garda Technical Bureau and State Pathologist have been requested. A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station. A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has also been appointed to support the family.

“The scene has been preserved for a forensic and technical examination and a post-mortem examination has been arranged. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They are also seeking anyone with camera footage, including dashcam recordings from road users in the New Oak Estate and nearby areas around the time of the incident.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

In September 2020, Mr Quigley was jailed for 18 months after he admitted carrying out an armed robbery in Co Donegal. He stole some €970 when he held a meat cleaver to a shop assistant’s throat in August 2016. He was caught by a passing Garda detective, who cornered him after a foot chase. The court heard Mr Quigley was high on a cocktail of drink and drugs when he carried out the robbery - which was his first offence.

A death notice on RIP.ie said Mr Quigley was a father of two girls. It said: “Beloved son of Tony and Michelle, adored father of Ava and Erica and treasured brother of Adam. He will be sadly missed by his loving daughters, parents, brother, grandmother Agnes, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends. May Darren’s Gentle Soul Rest in Peace. Funeral arrangements to follow shortly.”

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