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Gardai are probing whether a father of 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, in West Dublin at around 11pm on Wednesday night. 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 that 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 she saw Mr Berney being wheeled out of his home in a stretcher – and immediately she knew he wasn’t going to make it.
“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,” she said.
“He was great at painting, very precise. He’d make sure everything was perfect. He used to do all our painting,” she said.
“He lives there with his father Andy. I thought it was Andy because his father suffers with his heart. So I came down and I saw him going out. I couldn’t get over it. We’re living here 39 years and yeah they were here before me. A grand young fella he was.”
Another neighbour said Mr Berney would often walk by their home and would always stop for a chat. “He was always a gentle soul. He would always wave to you, always say hello walking by. He never caused any trouble around here. It’s sad to hear that’s the way he passed away,” he said.
“He painted one of the houses here only two days ago. He painted every house on this road.”
The neighbour said the entire street was in shock over what had happened. “Last night all I heard was the guards coming around. I actually thought it was on the main road. I only heard this morning when I went out for work. It’s a shock. I think he has nine kids. He had a lot. The way it happened, that is a surprise. It doesn’t really happen around here,” he said.
Another neighbour spoke of Mr Berney’s kind nature, and said everyone on the street knew him well. He said: “I don’t have a bad word to say about him. He was a nice chap, we all grew up together. He was always in doing jobs, cleaning windows or painting. Whatever happened, it’s just so sad.”
Another man said: “All I heard was the ambulance, then the fire brigade and then I just seen the police cars. I said that’s something more, something serious has happened.
“He was the nicest chap you could talk to. If you wanted something done he’d do it for you be it maintenance, painting.”
Mr Berney was described by neighbours as a private person – and although many knew him well, they said they had no photographs of him. The tributes come as officers say they are investigating “all of the circumstances” surrounding the death.
Gardai were awaiting the results of a post mortem examination before determining fully whether to upgrade the investigation to one of murder. However officers are understood to be ready to upgrade the investigation – having seized a number of items of interest and believing that Mr Berney was stabbed to death following a row.
Forensic officers were seen carrying multiple evidence bags out of the house on Thursday morning. In a press release gardai said: “A man, aged in his 50s, who was injured in the incident was taken to Tallaght University Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
“A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course and the local coroner has been informed. The scene remains preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau. This investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer at Lucan Garda Station.
“Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am and observed any activity which drew their attention to come forward. Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the vicinity of Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lucan Garda Station on (01) 6667300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Investigations are ongoing.”
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