Police treat stabbings as murder

One of the incidents happened on Parnell Street

Detectives in the Irish Republic have begun separate murder investigations after two men died in separate weekend stabbings.

A third man was injured in the attacks in the city of Limerick which the police have said they are treating separately.

A 24-year-old man was stabbed in the street in Pineview Gardens, in the Moyross area of the city shortly after 0100 BST on Monday.

He was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital and was pronounced dead at 0200 BST.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old man has died after receiving serious head injuries in an attack in the city three days ago.

Deaths 'not linked'

The man, whose name has not yet been released, was found unconscious in Ladys Lane, off Parnell Street, at 2300 BST on Friday.

He was taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital where he died at about 1930 BST on Sunday.

A police spokesman said the two deaths were not being linked.

In a separate incident, a 31-year-old man is recovering from head injuries at Limerick hospital.

He was found unconscious in Mount Kennett Place, near Henry Street, at 1230 BST on Monday.

The police spokesman said none of the incidents were currently being linked to ongoing feuds in the city between gangland families.

The feuds have led to a number of stabbings and shootings in recent years.