A pensioner died just metres from his front door after he was brutally attacked with a machete-type weapon in his garden on Saturday.
Peter McDonald, described as a “frail, quiet man” in his 70s, sustained fatal wounds shortly before 6am in Clonsilla, West Dublin.
The suspect, a man in his 40s, barricaded himself into the house next door and was arrested after a six-hour stand-off with Gardai.
A tense five-hour stand-off with gardai followed when the suspect, a man in his 40s, barricaded himself inside the house next door in West Dublin.
It’s understood the pair, who lived in the quiet White Chapel Road area of Clonsilla, Blanchardstown, knew each other well.
Gardai arrived at around 5.55am and ordered a media blackout as part of their protocols for a barricade incident. The stand-off ended at around 11.40am and the man was arrested.
A number of residents told the Irish Sunday Mirror how the man had been observed acting erratically throughout the previous night.
He allegedly chased a couple and a teenager from the housing estate with a weapon in his hand that resembled a machete causing panic.
One local said: “He was praying in his front garden.
“Some couple were walking down the road and he chased them but they got away. He was running amok all night screaming and shouting.”
Another added that the suspect was a religious man usually seen carrying a set of rosary beads and holy water.
It’s understood the man smashed a car window outside the victim’s house before Peter, a long-time resident of the area, confronted him.
The pensioner was then violently attacked and stabbed multiple times in his front garden where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
When Gardai arrived, the man had barricaded himself in a nearby house and a siege situation began lasting nearly six hours.
It was not until 11.40am when armed Gardai subdued the man and made the arrest.
Officers could be seen wielding riot shields throughout the ordeal. The man was last night being held at Blanchardstown Garda Station under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Residents paid tribute to the pensioner who lived alone.
One neighbour described Peter as a “terrible nice man” who was quiet and kept to himself.
He added: “He was a very friendly man. I’d always see him coming home with his shopping coming back with his bags.”
“It’s absolutely horrible, what a way to go. He was ever so good to the kids” another added.
Another local spoke of the distress the incident has caused to the community. She said: “My son is 11 and he plays around here. My partner went to work and saw that it was all cordoned off.
“I think it’s an absolute disgrace right on your doorstep so you’re in fear.”
Large crowds of people began to gather around the scene on Saturday after Gardai sealed off the road.
Others watched from their own homes and front gardens. Other houses were also sealed off as well as the exit to the main road .
One local said the man who was arrested had been living with his brother before he moved out. Another neighbour added he was also a friendly person.
He said: “He wouldn’t ignore you and he’d make sure he would say hello to you. He’d always talk to you and have a chat.”
A Garda spokesman: “A man, aged in his 70s, was fatally injured following an altercation where he received a number of apparent stab wounds.
“The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination.
“A male, aged in his 40s, had barricaded himself into another house nearby. No other persons were present in the house at the time of the incident. An Garda Siochana protocols for a barricade incident were implemented.
“All units involved in this incident worked closely under Garda strategic and operational commanders with the strategic intention to ‘contain the incident, preserving life and bring the incident to a peaceful conclusion’.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Blanchardstown on 01 666 7000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
