Neighbours and friends of a man who was stabbed to death in Tallaght, in south-west Dublin, last night say they are baffled by his murder.
Gardaí in Dublin investigating the murder of Michael Gallagher, a 60-year-old father of five, say he was the victim of a frenzied attack.
They are investigating the possibility that this was a case of mistaken identity.
However, because of the nature of the attack, they insist they are keeping an open mind.
Mr Gallagher was stabbed several times after two men armed with a knife and a hammer broke into the house on Tymonville Road at around 10pm.
Detectives are still searching for the murder weapon and have appealed for anyone who knew Mr Gallagher, or anyone that the painter and decorator did work for, to contact them.
Mr Gallagher was originally from Mohill, Co Leitrim. He was a widower and had been living in Tallaght with his new partner, who herself is a mother of five.
She was slightly injured in the attack and was taken to hospital.
