'Pray that Jamie turns back to us', says mum of son clinging to life

Jamie Hennessy, who last week celebrated his 22nd birthday, was stabbed at a house in Love Lane, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, at around 7pm on Saturday.

The Hennessy family has suffered tragedy in the past and Jamie's older brother John was killed in a car crash in which his cousin was also killed and his sister Amanda was injured.

Jamie's mother Sandra took to Facebook yesterday to urge friends to pray for her son.

"Keep fighting, son. Love you so much," she wrote.

"Really feeling down today. Tears won't stop," she told her friends and followers.

Crossroad

In a heartfelt plea for prayers, she wrote: "Jamie has stopped at the crossroads. He doesn't know if he is [to] turn back to us or going to his brother.

"Only way I can explain to you all, so please pray that he turns back to us. Thank you all."

Witnesses told how Mr Hennessy had run for help after being attacked, but slumped unconscious on the roadway in the cul de sac.

"I could see a deep wound in his neck. It was terrifying. I don't know how he made it to the hospital," said one woman who lives nearby.

"But Jamie is strong. He is a fighter. We are all just hoping he pulls through," she told the Herald. "He lost a lot of blood. He was very badly injured."

A suspect in a high-profile cold case murder was one of three people arrested at the weekend over the stabbing.

Officers are investigating if the incident is connected to the murder of Gerry Nolan (44), whose mobile home was locked and set on fire while he was in it more than 11 years ago. There is no suggestion that Mr Hennessy was involved in that incident.

Another man questioned over the attack on Saturday was previously arrested by gardai over the fatal stabbing of Kieran Monahan in Kilkenny city in February 2012.

The three men, two in their 30s and one in his 40s, were arrested at the scene and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station.

They have since been released and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Doctors are particularly concerned about a wound to Mr Hennessy's neck.

His brother John was 18 when he was killed in a car crash in September 1998.

John, from Doonane, Crettyard, Co Carlow, the car driver, and his first cousin, Paul Hennessy (16), from Farnans, Ballinmoyler, Co Carlow, were killed when their car hit a tree in foggy conditions.

John and Jamie's sister Amanda was seriously injured.

The three were believed to have been on their way home after dropping off another girl.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to Mr Hennessy's stabbing to call Kilkenny Garda Station on 056-7775000, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any station.