Dylan McCarthy was killed because of a row that broke out on a dancefloor of a pub, it has emerged.
As gardai continue their probe into the brutal attack on the 29-year-old that saw him attacked by as many as six people, sources have said detectives now have a full picture of what happened on the night.
And they confirmed that the fatal incident started with an innocent row over people dancing on the dancefloor of a pub in Monasterevin in Co Kildare early on Sunday morning.
“It was a silly row, as is often the way,” a source said last night. “There were a couple of people on the dancefloor and they got into a minor altercation with other people nearby.
“It just escalated from there. There was some pushing and shoving and a window was broken and the next thing there is a full-scale row. It is tragic that the whole thing started over something so trivial.”
Sources say gardai have recovered high-quality CCTV from inside and outside the pub where Mr McCarthy was repeatedly punched and kicked during the attack at around 12.30am on Sunday morning.
It’s understood the suspects for the attack are all from the Monasterevin area and came across Mr McCarthy and other family members – who were in the village to celebrate the birth of the victim’s nephew – purely by chance.
Gardai now believe they have identified all the attackers and are waiting on the results of a post mortem on Mr McCarthy’s remains before making their next move.
But sources have warned that officers may not be able to prove which of them – if any- delivered the fatal blow to Mr McCarthy, who was from Kilmallock in Co Limerick.
Several men are seen delivering sickening punches to his head.
He is also seen to fall to the ground and his head on a kerbstone – which officers fear contributed to his death.
Gardai in Co Kildare probing his death are now awaiting results of a post mortem to see if he died from a punch – or from the fall.
But sources warned that officers were unlikely to launch a murder hunt.
Instead, they may try to have a suspect or suspects charged with manslaughter or serious assault.
Mr McCarthy lost his fight for life in Tallaght Hospital in south Dublin on Monday afternoon.
He had been on life support since the attack on the Dublin Road in Monasterevin, Co Kildare at 12.30am on Sunday.
It’s understood he suffered catastrophic fatal injuries in the attack, which happened after he and other family members were celebrating the recent birth of his niece.
Medics had spent all Sunday trying to save him, but he lost his fight for life on Monday.
The family and friends of Mr McCarthy are overcome with "sadness, disbelief and anger", a local priest has said.
Fr Chris O'Donnell, a family friend, said there is a blanket of sadness over Kilmallock.
"There are no words. It's sadly unimaginable really and there's been a few tragedies, even in Limerick just in the last few days as well," Fr O'Donnell told RTE Morning Ireland.
"As a community, our thoughts are with Dylan's family, his parents and sister, they're just such a good, quiet, unassuming family who are held in great esteem here.
"We're devastated for them. I wish they, and other innocent families could be spared these tragic events. It's like there's a cloud or a blanket of sadness resting on the town of Kilmallock and also the neighbouring parishes.
"People are devastated. Just a lot of sorrow and sadness, disbelief and anger really."
He said that Dylan had recently moved to Cork and was very involved in his local GAA team.
"Between neighbours and friends and work colleagues, former teachers, the GAA community, the ripples are everywhere because he was very popular, they're a lovely family," Fr O'Donnell added.
"I suppose it's every parent's nightmare and nearly every parent in the area now are thinking of their own children and hopefully holding them a little closer because in many ways it seems like Dylan is everyone's son and brother at the moment.
"Just a lovely family and awful shock for everyone.
"We're not the only community reeling and these tragedies leaves everyone questioning.
"Goodness always wins out too. There's a lot of care and love going their way.
"I know the focus here in Kilmallock is: 'How will we respond?' And I know the community, such a great community, will envelop Dylan's family in as much love and light and support as possible, because I suppose such great tragedies need to be met with even greater love.
"At times of tragedy we see the innate goodness of people, they tend to prompt an outpouring of love and care.
"Our purpose here now is to try and reach out and be there for the family and give them reasons to hope because they deserve that."
In a social media post, Kilmallock Gaelic Club said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we at Kilmallock GAA pass on our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Dylan McCarthy.
"Dylan played underage hurling and football at underage level and also played u21 and junior hurling.
"He was a huge addition to any team and a real team player always.
"To (his parents) Eamon, Marita and (sister) Orla, Dylan's partner Aoife, extended family and friends we are sorry for your great loss. We will remember Dylan always."
Gardai at Kildare are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 045 045 527730 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
There have been no arrests yet.
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