TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to Dermot Byrne, the father-of-three who died following an altercation in Swords, north Dublin at the weekend.
A keen pool player, the Irish Blackball Association described Byrne as a “an easy-going and respectful man” who will be missed by friends and family.
Gardaí were called to the scene in Swords in the early hours of Sunday morning where they found Dermot Byrne with serious injuries.
He received medical care at the scene but was pronounced dead from his injuries.
In a post on its Facebook page, the Irish Blackball Association, whose members participate in local and national pool events, said: “It is with heavy heart that we being the very sad news, that one of our members, Dermot Byrne, has passed away.
Dermot attended Irish Blackball Association events for many years and qualified through rankings to represent Ireland at European and World Championship events. Dermot was known to all as a ‘gent’. He was easy-going, and respectful of others.
The statement adds that its members were proud to have known the 56-year-old and have the honour of being in his company.
People who knew Dermot have been posting their own tributes to him on social media.
One said: “What a nice and genuine guy. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family who I know he loved dearly.”
Another said: “That a true gent, one of life’s nice guys could be taken from this earth so cruelly is truly one of life’s great wrongs.”
A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Byrne.
Investigations, however, are continuing and gardaí are appealing for witnesses who may have been in or around North Street in Swords between 1.30am and 3am on Sunday morning to come forward.
They have also called for anyone who may have driven around the area and have dash cam footage from their vehicle to contact Swords Garda Station on 01 666 4700, the garda confidential telephone line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
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