TWO men arrested in relation to the fatal stabbing of homeless volunteer Derek Reddin have been released without charge.
The dad-of-two suffered three knife wounds at the junction of Loughlinstown Drive and Cherry Court in south Dublin in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Derek Reddin, 31, was discovered at the scene with apparent stab wounds and was pronounced dead a short time later.
Two men, both in their 30s, were arrested and questioned by gardai yesterday, but they were released earlier this afternoon without charge.
A garda spokesman said that files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Earlier today we revealed that a heart surgeon tried to save Reddin’s life minutes after he was stabbed in the chest in the brutal attack.
Although the surgeon fought to save him, he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
RECENT BEATING
The Irish Sun understands the fatal stabbing may be connected to a recent attack. A friend of the victim told us: “Derek was beaten recently . . . The stabbing may be connected to that.
“Derek was beaten black and blue. Now he’s lost his life. It’s terrible.”
Gardai believe he was attacked after he clashed with two men in the area. Two men were arrested by uniformed officers at the scene.
They were last night quizzed at Shankill Garda station before being let go today.
ALARM RAISED
We also revealed members of the Gardai’s Armed Support Unit arrived at the scene within a minute of the alarm being raised and also fought to save his life.
A source said: “The Gardai are trained as first responders and were working on the victim until the heart surgeon arrived.
“They did everything they could to save him but he had lost just too much blood.”
The young dad worked with the group You’re Not Alone, which offers help to the homeless in Dublin.
Pal Peter Boyle, who worked in the car trade with Reddin, told the Irish Sun: “Derek was a nice chap. I’m just devastated that he’s gone.
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“I was only talking to him on Sunday about a car. He was supposed to call up about a car, he’s bought a couple of cars off me . . . I’m heartbroken.”
A garda spokesman said today: “The two men in their 30s arrested on Tuesday 15th October 2019 in relation to this investigation were released without charge earlier this afternoon Wednesday 16th October 2019.
“Files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.”