Stabbed: David Whyte

Gardaí are following more than 50 lines of enquiry into the fatal stabbing of David Whyte in west Dublin last weekend but still remain in the dark as to a possible motive.

Whyte, a 35-year-old single man who had worked as a security guard, was found stabbed to death at Mill Lane, Palmerstown, last Friday night.

Whyte, who was stabbed up to 30 times, was not identified for three days after his body was discovered at a derelict cemetery behind Stewart's Hospital, off Mill Lane, in Palmerstown last Friday. He is understood to have sustained stab wounds to the head, face, torso and defensive stab wounds to the hands. Gardaí are satisfied that a small knife was used in the assault. The area has been a popular spot for teenagers to meet and drink alcohol.

Some 100 gardaí are involved in the murder hunt and include officers from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, forensic science laboratory, technical bureau, dog team and the sub-aqua unit.

Garda sources expressed surprise there hasn't been a break in the case yet considering the killing seemed amateur and was not a gangland hit.

Gardaí have been examining Whyte's background and whether he had been involved in a row the night of his murder, but nothing definite has been established. The garda press office last week said speculation in the media about the murder is "misleading and unhelpful to the investigation team".