A man who was found seriously injured earlier this month has died in hospital.
ardaí in Co Louth have upgraded the case to a murder investigation.
A Garda spokesman said police are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the death of Marius Juodenas (44) following an incident in Dundalk on Tuesday, July 5.
Mr Juodenas, originally from Lithuania, was attacked close to his home in what gardaí said was a targeted attack.
He was beaten with an axe, or axes, and at least one other tool—possibly an iron bar.
He sustained very serious injuries and there was massive blood loss at the scene.
“It was a miracle that he lasted as long as he did after the sustained attack he suffered,” said a senior source. Gardaí thinks the attack was planned.
It is believed that he was attacked by three or four men. It is suspected that they are also Eastern European nationals associated with the area.
Gardaí quickly identified suspects in the case. A number of house searches were carried out with confiscated items.
One of the suspects has had “great interaction with Gardaí” in recent years, it is understood.
The officers follow a clear line of inquiry.
“Shortly before 7 p.m., Gardaí visited a house on Barrack Street, in Dundalk, where Marius was discovered with serious injuries,” a statement from the press service said.
He was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he was placed on a ventilator.
He was pronounced dead yesterday, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Beaumont Hospital.
“An autopsy was performed today at the Dublin City morgue, the results of which are not being released due to operational reasons.”
Gardaí has confirmed that an emergency room has been set up at Dundalk Garda station and that a murder investigation has now been launched, led by a senior investigator.
A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed and will keep the family informed of the investigation.
Gardaí is calling on witnesses and in particular calls on those who were near Barrack Street on July 5, 2022 between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM.
All road users traveling in the area who may have cameras, including dashcam, are asked to make them available for investigation into Gardaí.
Anyone with information is requested to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.