Superintendent Declan Coburn yesterday told the Sunday Tribune that forensic examination of the scene would continue over the weekend and was expected to yield vital clues.

Gardaí will also conduct more interviews with the murdered man's partner, Sally Rodgers, who was injured in the attack. At least two men are believed to have forced their way into the couple's Tymonville Road home at around 10pm on Monday last. Rodgers is believed to be still in a state of shock since the incident and is being cared for by family members.

The dead man was not involved in crime and it is likely the attack could have been a case of mistaken identity.

"We are looking into everything, " Coburn said. "It is a very early stage in the investigation but we are hopeful the examination of the scene will yield positive results."

Local Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe said the attack had caused "considerable fear in the community".