Gardaí in County Clare are investigating whether an act of vandalism in a housing estate in Kilkee was connected to yesterday’s fatal stabbing in the area.

25-year-old father of one Karl Haugh died following an altercation with a group of people at the Marion Housing Estate in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Three men remain in garda custody in connection with the attack.

Superintendent John Galvin of Kilrush Garda Station confirmed this afternoon that the Garda Armed Support Unit has been requested to carry out patrols in the Kilrush and Kilkee areas following the incident.

Yesterday evening, a home in Island View in Kilrush was attacked with several windows smashed. A car parked nearby was also damaged.

Gardaí believe that these incidents may be linked to the stabbing and a garda investigation is ongoing.

A garda spokesperson said three youths are believed to have been involved in the act of criminal damage.

No-one gained entry to the property, nothing was stolen and nobody has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Earlier today, Superintendent John Galvin, from Kilrush Garda Station spoke to Clare FM about the stabbing:

“The gardaí in Kilrush commenced an investigation and we sealed off the area in Kilkee,” he said.

“We have set up an incident room in Kilrush Garda Station.

“At this stage three men have been detained in Kilrush as part of this investigation.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident or have information to contact them at Kilrush Garda Station 065-9080550, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.