Terrified senior citizens living in a gated Dublin apartment complex have said they’re “so afraid” after a man was stabbed to death in one of the flats in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The victim who was named locally as David Ennis and in his late 30s was stabbed to death in Ballyfermot in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
A woman, who is in her 40s, who was arrested in relation to the stabbing and was being quizzed at Clondalkin Garda Station last night under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Read More : Ireland to get late blast of heat amid rare weather 'dome of warmth' from East
The horror incident took place in Claddagh Court in Ballyfermot which is a gated community for senior citizens.
The Irish Mirror understands the pensioner who owns the property was in the apartment at the time of the stabbing.
Gardai and emergency services raced to the scene shortly after 2:30 am on Tuesday night. Paramedics treated the victim at the scene but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
His body was removed shortly before 11:30 am yesterday after gardai from the Technical Bureau carried out an examination of the scene.
Locals said drug users were regularly spotted in the complex.
Chairman of the Claddagh Court resident’s committee Mick White said there have been issues with anti-social behaviour in the complex for a while.
He said: “I’ve reported it to Dublin City Council for the last three years, they haven’t done a thing about it. They were told at the last meeting this would happen.
“I was shocked when I heard about it, one of my sons rang me to tell me about it. I didn’t know what was happening.”
While Tommy Gannon, who also lives in Claddagh Court, said: “I knew there was something wrong when I woke up this morning and I saw the garda tape. It’s gotten worse in the last couple of years.”
Joan Murphy, who has lived in the complex since it opened, said residents are terrified and are in fear.
The 72-year-old told The Irish Mirror: “It’s not easy living in there. You bolt your door at night and you’re making sure you don’t reopen it.
“If you knocked at my door at night, there’s no way you’re getting an answer.
“There’s always fighting going on. And if you heard that racket in the sitting room, you’d be wondering ‘who is going to be killed’.
“Residents have said for years it will take somebody to be killed and it’s just happened. We’ve predicted this for years.
“It’s been like for this years. There’s no security, it’s just not safe. Residents feel unsafe. We're so afraid."
Joan said things have gotten so bad she has installed a camera outside her house to feel more secure.
She added: “I’ve had to put a camera on my door - at least I know who’s outside my door. There’s no way if you rang my bell after dark that I’d answer the door.
“I wouldn’t open that door to anyone.”
Fellow resident Eileen, 78, added: “This has frightened me, I’m going to keep my door locked from now on.
“I just heard this morning, I got a fright naturally. I’m a nervous person. I’d be afraid.”
While, Independent Councillor Vincent Jackson, who was at the scene yesterday, said he was “absolutely shocked”
When contacted by the Irish Mirror, Dublin City Council told us: “Dublin City Council is aware of an incident at its Claddagh Court Older Persons Housing Complex last night.
“An Garda Siochana is currently investigating the circumstances. Dublin City Council is not making any further comment at this time.”
In a statement, the Gardai said: “Shortly after 2.30 am, Gardaí and Emergency Services attended at a flat in Claddagh Court, Ballyfermot, where a man aged in his late 30s was found with an apparent stab wound.
“The injured man was treated at the scene by Emergency Services personnel but was pronounced dead a short time later.”
READ NEXT:
- Regency getaway accused Jason Bonney told cops his life was 'hell under Kinahan cartel threat'
- Lifetime pet ban for Irish cat owner in 'worst' animal neglect case judge has seen
- Irish mum questions how 'perfectly formed' baby died minutes after birth at Rotunda Hospital
- I'm A Celebrity viewers left baffled as one star goes 'missing' during latest episode
- Child who fell and hit head on a chair in school settles High Court action for €30,000
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
