Gardaí in Bray have officially launched a murder investigation following the fatal stabbing of William “Willie” Moorehouse, a 36-year-old father of six, whose body was discovered in a park near a playground in Ballywaltrim, Bray, Co. Wicklow on Sunday evening. The tragic incident has left the community in shock, as tributes pour in for the beloved father.

Discovery of the Victim

At approximately 6pm on Sunday, a passerby came across Moorehouse’s lifeless body near a community centre in Bray. Emergency services were immediately alerted, and Gardaí arrived at the scene to secure the area. An autopsy conducted by State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis confirmed that the victim had sustained multiple lacerations and blade wounds. While the exact results of the examination are not being publicly disclosed, Gardaí have since reclassified the case as a murder investigation.

Ongoing Investigation and Arrests

The Garda Technical Bureau conducted an extensive forensic examination of the scene, while an incident room has been established at Bray Garda Station to coordinate the investigation. A senior investigating officer is leading the case, with a dedicated family liaison officer supporting Moorehouse’s grieving relatives.

In connection with the murder, multiple arrests have been made. Two men, one in his 20s and another in his 30s, were taken into custody on Tuesday but have since been released without charge. A juvenile male and a man in his 20s remain in Garda custody, as investigators continue to follow leads. Additionally, two individuals arrested on Monday were also released, but Gardaí have stressed that their inquiries remain active.

Community Reacts to Tragic Death

News of Moorehouse’s violent death has deeply shaken the Wicklow community, with friends and relatives expressing their grief and paying tribute to the 36-year-old father. Described as a devoted family man, his sudden and tragic passing has left his six children and wider family devastated. Locals have also voiced their concerns about safety in the area, particularly given the proximity of the attack to a children’s playground.

A local resident shared, “It’s absolutely heartbreaking. He was a well-known figure in the community, and to hear that he was killed so violently is just shocking. It makes you wonder about the safety of our streets.”

Garda Appeal for Witnesses

As the investigation intensifies, Gardaí are appealing to members of the public who may have been in the area at the time of the incident. Authorities are particularly interested in any camera footage, including dashcam recordings, from those who were in the vicinity of the playground on Boghall Road around 6pm on Sunday evening.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Bray Garda Station at 01 666 5300, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Investigators are hopeful that witness statements and surveillance footage will provide crucial details that could lead to further arrests.

A Community in Mourning

As Gardaí work tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to Moorehouse’s murder, the Bray community continues to mourn the loss of a father taken too soon. A vigil is expected to be held in his memory, as locals rally together to offer support to his grieving family.

With the investigation ongoing, authorities are determined to bring those responsible to justice. The brutal nature of Moorehouse’s death has sent shockwaves throughout Wicklow, reinforcing concerns about violent crime in residential areas.

For now, as friends and family prepare to lay him to rest, the hope is that answers will come swiftly, and justice will be served.

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