Cork stabbing victim Shane Murphy made frantic 999 call before death

Tragic Shane (27), from Carrigaline, Cork, was stabbed in the chest in his home in the Sea View estate in Carrigaline at 3.30am on Saturday - as was his dad Patrick 'Weeshie' Murphy when the pensioner tried to intervene in the attack and save his youngest boy's life.

Gardaí were yesterday questioning a 42-year-old - who is well-known to both Patrick and Shane - at Gurranabraher Garda station after he was arrested in the nearby harbour town of Passage West in the hours after the attack.

He was detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, which means he can be held for up to 24 hours.

Sources yesterday confirmed to the Sunday World that by the time emergency responders and gardaí arrived at the scene Weeshie had already been taken to hospital.

The father-of-five was yesterday being treated for 'serious stab wounds' at Cork University Hospital, where his condition has been described as serious.

"A 999 call came in, believed to have been made by Shane at approximately 3.30am," a source told the Sunday World.

"The caller reported the stabbings before losing consciousness and leaving the line open.

"By the time gardaí and medical personal arrived at the scene, the older man had already made his way to hospital."

The source said the belief is Weeshie may have been taken to hospital in a taxi.

Neighbours yesterday described Shane and Weeshie as extremely close, with the older man often pictured with his son celebrating his golfing successes.

Shane, who formerly played with Raffen Creek Pitch and Putt club and more recently with Rocklodge, previously gave an interview in which he told how dad Weeshie's golfing had led to his own interest in the sport.

After becoming 2016 National Gents Matchplay Champion, Shane said in an interview:"My dad being a golfer encouraged us to take up the game and I started playing it with my brothers and it all took off from there."

One neighbour said yesterday that everyone in the Sea View estate was praying that Weeshie will pull through.

"Shane was a lovely young lad," the neighbour said.

"He was born and raised here … the whole family was. He always said hello and was so mannerly.

"Every Saturday morning, you'd see him sitting with his clubs on that wall there at the edge of the estate waiting to be picked up to go out playing for the day.

"And poor Weeshie … Weeshie is a gent! He'd do you a good turn anytime you'd ask.

"He's was retired now but he was a self-employed builder and raised four sons and a daughter in that house with his wife Marie.

"I hadn't spoken to him properly in about six months but I'd have seen him going in and out in the car.

"The other boy John (Shane's older brother) was living there as well I think but I couldn't say for certain.

"I knew him to say hello to as well. He seemed a nice lad.

"He'd be out there on the road with a hurl and the dog and you'd see hitting the ball up and down for the dog to chase.

"I didn't hear a thing last night.

"It wasn't until I came out this morning and saw the Garda tape that I realised something was very wrong.

"I was hoping against hope that it wasn't Weeshie. They're a very decent respectable family.

"If I was ever stuck for anything, Weeshie was there.

"Everyone in the estate is praying that he pulls through this.

"He'll be heartbroken no matter what happens. He was so proud of Shane.

"Weeshie played himself and you'd should have seen how happy he was the time Shane won the national title.

"They're both good people.

"I don't think Shane even drank, and Weeshie never smoked or drank in his life."

Another neighbour echoed those sentiments, saying her own children had grown up with Weeshie and Marie's.

"I think the last time I saw them was at Marie's funeral," she said.

"Your heart would break for that family now … such a lovely family for something like this to happen."

Shane's remains were removed from the house to mortuary at Cork University Hospital at 11.30am yesterday.

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster later in the day.

Sources said Gardaí do not know yet when it will be possible to speak with Weeshie about what occurred in the house and will await directions from medical personnel prior to attempting to speak with him.

In the meantime, Gardaí have appealed to anyone who was in or around the Carrigaline and Passage West areas in the early hours of yesterday morning, and who may have noticed any activity which caught their attention or who can assist gardaí involved in this investigation to contact them at Togher Garda station on 021-4947120.

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Seamus McGrath said the news of the killing and injury to the second man came as a "devastating blow" to Carrigaline.

Councillor McGrath said Weeshie Murphy is "very well-known and liked" within the community.

"The area of Sea View Avenue is a very quiet, settled, area," he said.

"It comes as a great shock to us that such a thing can happen. It's a devastating blow and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims."