Gardai probe if fatal stab victim was killed at home by somebody he knew

Tributes flood in for popular Jake, 53, as officers appeal for information

- BY PAUL HEALY Crime Correspondent

GARDAI are probing whether a fatherof- nine was stabbed to death by someone known to him following a row at his own home.

James “Jake” Berney, 53, died in Tallaght Hospital after emergency services were alerted to his home in Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, west Dublin, at around 11pm on Wednesday.

It is understood Mr Berney, a well-known handyman in the area, suffered multiple catastrophic stab wounds from what gardai believe was a row at the house with a man known to him.

However the investigation is understood to be complex - and no one has been arrested yet in connection with the death-which is set to be the subject of a murder probe.

Shocked neighbours and friends told this paper Mr Berney was a “gentle soul” and “harmless” and that he often painted their homes and cleaned their windows over the years.

One neighbour, who heard a commotion at the house on Wednesday night, said: “I tell you I knew he was dead because I saw the ambulance putting a black bag on the stretcher. I said that’s it.

“I never thought it would be him. He was a great young fella, he'd do anything for you.

“He was great at painting, very precise. He'd make sure everything was perfect. He used to do all our painting.