Gardaí investigating potential terror link to Dundalk knife attacks

The chief suspect is an 18-year-old man from Egypt.

Gardaí are investigating a potential terror link to a fatal knife attack that took place in Dundalk on Wednesday morning and resulted in the death of one 24-year-old Japanese man. The victim was stabbed in the back on Avenue Road at 9am and died at the scene. Two other men were attacked on the Inner Relief Road and Seatown in Dundalk within an hour of each other. One received a knife wound, while the other was assaulted with a fence post. Both were subsequently hospitalised, although their injuries are not life-threatening. https://twitter.com/gardainfo/status/948506560032051200 Gardaí have so far arrested an 18-year-old man, who is an Egyptian national. According to the Irish Times, it is understood that he travelled to Ireland from the United Kingdom recently, and was encountered by Gardaí in Dundalk on 1 January, during which time he was asked about his status. He was unable to produce the correct papers and was instructed to go to Dublin to apply for asylum. Shortly before 11am on Wednesday morning, the man was arrested and is currently being detained in Dundalk Garda Station on suspicion of murder. None of the victims have had any prior contact with one another, according to detectives; a post-mortem on the deceased man is currently taking place in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. At present, Gardaí are not searching for any further suspects, nor has any motive been officially established. In a press briefing this afternoon, Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan stated: "A terror attack is certainly a line of inquiry we are looking at. We will endeavour to establish the suspect's background, including who they are, where they have come from and why are they here." Gardaí are appealing for any persons that were in the Avenue Road area shortly before 9am on Wednesday morning, or on Coes Road or Seatown Place areas, or the Inner Relief Road of Dundalk between 8.30am and 9.40am to contact them at Dundalk Garda Station on (042) 9388471 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.