Updated 1.20pm
A MAN WHO was found dead in an apartment in Sligo was stabbed, a post-mortem has confirmed.
Gardaí said this afternoon that Martin (Matt) Kivlehan (59), who was found dead in his apartment yesterday, died of stab wounds.
A murder investigation has now begun.
The local community are said to be in shock at the discovery of his body, with one local councillor describing him as “a gentleman”. Kivlehan was well-known in Sligo.
Arrests
Gardaí said this morning that two people have been arrested in connection with the death. A man in his late 20s and a woman in her mid 20s were arrested in the Sligo town area last night.
They are currently detained at Sligo Garda Station.
Matt Kivlehan’s body was found in his apartment on Holborn Street in Sligo just after 1pm yesterday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.
Shock
Sligo People Before Profit councillor Seamus O’Boyle knew Matt Kivlehan for over 30 years and said he was “very shocked” by his death.
“He was a gentleman – a real gentleman,” he told TheJournal.ie.
He was a talented musician along with other members of his family. He was reared four doors up from where he died. The Forthill area is the oldest area in Sligo, and the close-knit community are in shock.
He added: “All we can do is stand by [his family] and help out in any way we can.”
Matt Kivlehan was understood to have suffered from some ill health in recent times. As well as being a musician, he was also known for being a talented carpenter.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal for witnesses who may have been in the vicinity of Holborn Street between 10pm on Sunday night, 2 August and 1pm on bank holiday Monday, 3 August to contact the incident room at Sligo Garda Station 071 – 9157000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any garda Station.
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