One man dead, another hurt and a suspect held after attack at Tralee migrant centre

A man has died and a second has been injured following an assault at a Tralee migrant centre in Co Kerry, and gardaí have launched a criminal investigation after arresting another man at the scene.

What gardaí say happened at the Tralee migrant centre

According to a Garda spokesman, officers responded to a report of an assault shortly after 5.20am on Saturday at a residential property in Ballymullen. The property is an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre, which houses people seeking international protection in Ireland.

On arrival, gardaí found an adult man with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead a short time later. A second man, aged in his 40s, was taken to University Hospital Kerry. Gardaí said his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

One man arrested, no charge reported

Gardaí said another man, also in his late 40s, was arrested at the scene in connection with the investigation. He is being held at a Garda station in Co Kerry under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. None of the reports say he has been charged with any offence. Nor do they say what the circumstances of the incident were, and gardaí have not described a motive.

The sources do not identify the man who died or the man who was injured. Gardaí have not said what relationship, if any, the three men had to one another.

Investigation under way

Gardaí said the Office of the State Pathologist has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau has been asked to attend. The scene is being preserved for forensic and technical examination, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. A senior investigating officer has been appointed, and an incident room is being set up at Tralee Garda Station.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration said the department was responding to a “critical incident” at an IPAS accommodation centre in Tralee on Saturday morning. As the Garda criminal investigation is under way, the department said it could not comment further.

Appeal for information

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to contact Tralee Garda Station on 066 7102300 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. They can also approach any Garda station.

Further details about the Tralee migrant centre incident, including the results of the post-mortem and whether any charges follow, are likely to emerge as the Garda investigation progresses.

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