Man found stabbed in Ballina apartment named locally as murder probe launched
by Paul Healy · Irish MirrorThe man found stabbed to death in his apartment in Ballina, Co Mayo has been named as John Casserly.
Mr Casserly (59), who was living in the town, was found with multiple stab injuries after gardai were alerted to the scene of a suspected row in his apartment in Tone Street on Wednesday night.
Gardai have since launched a murder investigation and arrested two men - both of whom are understood to be known to Mr Casserly.
Sources say the victim died a “very violent death” after a suspected row broke out before midnight.
READ MORE: Ballina murder probe LIVE updates
Gardai suspect one of the two arrested men witnessed the other deal the fatal knife wounds. Speaking to this paper local Cllr Annie May Reape said the entire town was in a state of shock over the incident.
“It's a tragedy, a human tragedy and we’re all in shock. It’s not something that you’d like to see happening on your doorstep.
“We hope everything will be done to bring those responsible to justice. To kill someone like that, it’s a human tragedy. God help all his relatives. We don’t want to see this happening in our area. Ballina is a quiet town and that’s not something we want,” she said.
In a statement gardai said officers are “investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a male in his late 50s following an incident in Ballina, County Mayo, on Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024.
“Shortly after 11:45pm, Gardaí were alerted to an incident at a residential property on Tone Street, Ballina. A male in his late 50s was found inside an apartment on the premises with serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Two individuals, both males in their late 20s and early 30s, have been arrested in connection with the incident and taken to a Garda station in the North Western Region.
“They are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. 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 Ballina Garda Station. A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has also been appointed to support the deceased’s 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, particularly anyone with camera footage, including dashcam recordings from road users in the Tone Street area and nearby locations around the time of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station at 096 20550, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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