BREAKING: Triple-stabbing near Irish border – terror investigation launched

A Japanese man was killed and two other people were injured in the attack in Dundalk, near the Irish border, this morning. 

The Gardaí (Irish police service) this afternoon confirmed they are investigating terror as a motive for the attack. 

They said no motive had yet been established but terror was not being ruled out. 

A spokesman said the stabbing appeared “random and unprovoked”. 

They said an 18-year-old Egyptian had been arrested in connection with the attack.

He is currently being detained on suspicion of murder in Dundalk. 

They said he had been known to Gardaí due to his legal status in the country as recently as Monday.

The fatal stabbing took place at around 9am on Avenue Road. Police said they were at the scene within seven minutes. 

At 9.32am police were called to another incident at nearby Coes Road and a further incident at 9.40am. 

Police said they were treating the incident as linked. The attacker was believed to be carrying two knives.

A police spokesman said they are investigating why the suspect was in Dundalk this morning. 

He said: “We are very interested to know who he was staying with, who he knows and what he was doing here.

“There will be an international dimension.”

The police said in an earlier statement: “Gardaí are investigating a stabbing incident in Dundalk Co Louth shortly before 9am this morning, 3rd January 2018.

“A man (age unknown) has been pronounced dead at the scene.

“A number of other people have also been injured in this incident but their injuries are unknown at present. One man has been arrested and is currently detained in Dundalk Garda Station. No further details are available at present.

“There are currently three scenes preserved for technical examination, Avenue Road, Inner Relief Road and Seatown.”

This is a breaking story, more to follow…