Gardaí open murder investigation following fatal stabbing in East Cork town

Gardaí have commenced a murder inquiry into the death of a 31-year-old man who died on Monday night after being stabbed.

The man, who died after an assault in Youghal, has been named locally as Daniel ‘Dano’ O’Sullivan, who had been jailed for manslaughter in 2016.

A post-mortem examination was carried out at Cork University Hospital (CUH) by Dr Margot Bolster yesterday.

Gardaí in Midleton commenced a murder investigation after receiving preliminary results.

A 29-year-old man, who had been arrested on Monday night for questioning in connection with the death, remained in custody last night under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Midleton Garda Station.

A number of scenes remained preserved last night awaiting examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Gardaí and the emergency services were called to the scene at a bar on Youghal’s North Main St at around 9.50pm on Monday night following an altercation between two men.

Transferred

Mr O’Sullivan was transferred to CUH suffering from serious injuries, and was later pronounced dead.

A native of Mallow, Mr O’Sullivan had been living in an apartment in Youghal at the time of his death.

In 2016, Mr O’Sullivan pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Vincent Morgain, a 34-year-old French chef, on Lower Oliver Plunkett St.

At the sentencing hearing, Mr O’Sullivan expressed deep remorse for his actions, and he was jailed for eight years — with the final three years suspended.

Mr O’Sullivan was sent back to prison in 2021 for failing to comply with the probation service following his release from prison.

At that time, his probation officer described him as “a young man with great potential who needed to address his heroin addiction and related issues in order to realise that potential”.

Heart broken 

Meanwhile, Mr O’Sullivan’s sister Sam posted on social media about her deep sense of loss at the passing of her older brother. She said that her “heart was broken” at the loss of her ‘Dano’, her “one of a kind big bro”.

Speaking to The Echo, Fine Gael Cork East TD Noel McCarthy said that his thoughts were with the family of the deceased during a “very difficult” time.

“I am devastated to hear the news, and obviously there are huge concerns in Youghal about it,” said Mr McCarthy.

Fianna Fáil Cork East TD James O’Connor said that the people of Youghal were in disbelief following the fatal attack.

“This sort of incident does not happen in Youghal,” Mr O’Connor said. “The community is in 100% support of the emergency services and local gardaí for the work they have had to do over last night and this morning, for what has been an incredibly difficult incident.”

Describing the incident as “shocking”, Sinn Féin Cork East TD Pat Buckley said that the incident highlighted the need for increased operational hours among regional garda stations across the county.

Garda investigations are ongoing.

Incident room 

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Midleton Garda Station, and a family liaison officer will be assigned to support the deceased’s family.

Investigating gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Midleton Garda Station on 021 4621550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.