Gardaí have issued an appeal for information after a student was stabbed to death in Cork city on Thursday night.
Cameron Blair (20) was taken to hospital after a fight broke out at a house on Bandon Road and was pronounced dead a short time later.
His death is being treated as murder.
Cameron was a second-year student at the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and played rugby for Bandon Rugby Club.
In a statement, the club said its "thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies" are with his friends and family.
Statement from our President Dan Murphy on the tragic passing of much loved club member Cameron Blair 💙
RIP Cameron 💙 pic.twitter.com/EsEfjvVVi2— Bandon Rugby (@bandonrfc) January 17, 2020
“Such a tragedy will be felt far and wide but will be felt really deeply within our club where Cameron was a very popular member and current player,” it said.
“Cameron’s boyish smile and love of life left an indelible mark on anyone he met or any team he played on.”
Gardaí say a post mortem examination has taken place at Cork University Hospital, but the results are not being released "for operational reasons."
"Deeply affected"
He attended secondary school at Bandon Grammar School before college, and the school has said it learned of his death with “great regret.”
“Our school community is deeply affected – particularly senior students as the deceased still has family members in the school,” it said.
“The management and staff extend our sincere condolences go to the family and friends.
“Students are being cared for and counselled in school. Classes continue for all year groups as we try to keep the school day as normal as possible, while recognising the traumatic impact on many.”
"Absolute horror"
Cork City Councillor Shane O'Callaghan said people in the area are stunned at the news.
“The reaction locally is one of absolute horror and disbelief,” he said.
“The Bandon Road area where the incident occurred is a quiet, residential area where there are quite a lot of elderly residents and some student accommodation.
“I mean, it is such a terrible tragedy that a young 20-year-old man would be killed in such circumstances and I can only imagine what his poor family must be going through at the moment.”
Garda resources
He said areas that contain student accommodation need extra Garda resources, adding that people in the Bandon Road area are “very anxious and afraid at the moment.”
The scene was sealed earlier, while Gardaí are gathering CCTV footage and carrying out door-to-door inquiries.
Investigators are urging anyone who was in the area between 8.00pm and 10.00pm on Thursday night and witnessed anything to come forward.
They are also asking anyone with dash cam or mobile phone footage to contact Togher Garda station on 021-494-7120, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
