The man who died in an overnight incident of assault in Ardara was well known local businessman, Stephen McCahill.
It’s thought Mr McCahill (65) may have been stabbed in an incident at his home.
A hugely popular and very well known businessman, Mr McCahill was a former Donegal Person of the Year.
His sudden passing has numbed the local community.
Gardaí say they are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a male at a location near Ardara in the early hours of this morning.
A garda spokesperson confirmed that at approximately 3.50am, Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to an assault at a domestic residence outside the town.
A male in his 60s was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.
A male in his 30s was later arrested at a second location and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Co. Donegal.
The scene has been preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Ballyshannon Garda Station.
Stephen McCahill, second from right, pictured at a Donegal Person of the Year event.
Stephen McCahill is very well known throughout Donegal and such has been his involvement in local community life, he was affectionately known as ‘Mr Ardara’.
Co-owner of the town’s Corner House pub, he was named Donegal Person of the Year for 2016.
He has contributed to local committees and organisations in various capacities and was also heavily involved with Ardara GAA where he was treasurer for 14 years and chairman for four years.
At the request of the Donegal GAA County Board Stephen asked to “manage” the Sam Maguire Cup in 1992 and again in 2012 during which time he co-ordinated the distribution of the cup.
Ardara GAA club have this evening issued the following statement: “As a club and parish, we are numb at the tragic death of our former Chairman, Treasurer, and community leader Stephen.
“No words can express our sympathy for Marietta, Stephen, Gemma and their families at this time.
“All planned club activities are suspended until further notice.”.
