A man is expected to appear before the courts as early as today to face charges in relation to the murder of Michael Hughes in Dublin at the weekend.
The suspect was arrested at the scene of the killing in Harold's Cross shortly after the fatal stabbing. He has been undergoing medical treatment since then, meaning gardaí were not in a position to question him. However, he was discharged from St James's Hospital, Dublin, shortly after 4pm yesterday and was arrested immediately. He was taken to Terenure Garda station where he remained last night.
Mr Hughes (30), Cuba, Banagher, Co Offaly, was stabbed more than 70 times in the face and body by a man with a pair of garden shears.
The attack occurred as he slept in the corridor of the Manor Villas apartment complex, having been unable to gain access to a friend's flat in the block.
He had travelled to Dublin for a friend's engagement party. The dead man had recently become engaged himself and had bought a site in Offaly with his fiancee on which they planned to build a new home.
His alleged attacker was arrested in the immediate vicinity of the scene with a garden shears shortly after the killing.
It has since emerged that the suspect had last week attended at two Dublin hospitals seeking assistance. The man, a 24-year-old from Dublin, was believed to have been suffering from mental illness.
It is understood he left the A&E units of St James's Hospital and St Vincent's hospital of his own accord while he was being assessed.
The HSE is now working with gardaí to establish the details of the man's contact with the hospitals and the circumstances of him leaving both.
Mental health experts have said the case underlines the need for significant improvements in care of the mentally ill.
The Psychiatric Nurses' Association has said it fears one of its members or other health workers may soon be killed by a mentally ill patient so acute is the lack of treatment options.
The suspect's wife had gone to a Garda station with her young child last week complaining her husband had locked her out of their apartment. She also told gardaí her husband was acting erratically and was depressed, adding she feared for his safety.
Gardaí assisted in housing her and her child in secure accommodation, but were unable to locate her husband.
The suspect was being questioned last night under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. He can be held for a total of 24 hours without charge. This period could be longer if the man's questioning was suspended for a period overnight.
However, reliable Garda sources said they expect the suspect to appear before the courts as early as today.
