Posted by A friend of Mr McCahill’s family told how the stab victim was a ‘tower of strength’ for the people of Donegal
A WELL-known businessman was stabbed to death outside his home by a quad bike killer, cops believe.
Stephen McCahill — the 2016 winner of the Donegal Person of the Year award — was knifed outside his house near Ardara, Co Donegal, around 3.50am this morning.
Credit: North West Newspix
Gardai suspect his killer arrived on a quad bike before attacking the publican and fleeing on the ATV.
Emergency workers rushed to the house, with the 65-year-old pronounced dead at the scene.
Credit: North West Newspix
Gardai suspect his killer arrived on a quad bike before attacking the publican and fleeing on the ATV.
Emergency workers rushed to the house, with the 65-year-old pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect — who’s known to the McCahill family and others in Donegal — is tonight being quizzed by detectives.
He will have to be either charged or released later tomorrow.
Mr McCahill was an auctioneer and ran the Corner House pub in the village of Ardara.
He was well known across Co Donegal for his work in the local community and because of his involvement in the GAA.
This saw Mr McCahill lead the Donegal Association of New York as part of the Big Apple’s St Patrick’s Day Parade back in 2023.
The ex-Fianna Fail member also contested the 2011 general election in Donegal as an Independent, getting 1,831 first preferences.
His heartbroken family are tonight being supported by relatives and friends, with relatives in the US informed of his passing.
His body remained at his home this afternoon as gardai awaited the arrival of the State Pathologist.
A post-mortem is due to be carried out over the coming days.
FAMOUS BOOZER
Mr McCahill’s pub featured in the 2023 film In The Land of Saints and Sinners, which starred Liam Neeson and Kerry Condon.
The boozer was regularly visited by country music star Nathan Carter when he was on tour.
And singer Imelda May was in the Corner House bar over the weekend.
Local Sinn Fein councillor Brian Carr tonight offered his condolences to Mr McCahill’s family and friends after the “tragic incident”.
‘PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY’
He added: “Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time. The Gardai are investigating and we need to respect the process and the family’s privacy.
“Stephen was a gentleman and we all knew him so well — he was a pillar of the community and will be greatly missed.”
Stephen was such a pillar of the community in Glenties, Ardara and across south west Donegal.”A family friend
And Michael McClafferty, who is the cathaoirleach of Donegal council’s Municipal District of Glenties, added: “The whole community is in shock at this sad and devastating news.
“Everyone would like to send their sympathies to the family and friends of the man who has lost his life. The entire community has been impacted by this and this is not the news we wanted to hear at the start to 2026.”
Mr McCahill was a close pal of many of the players on Donegal’s 2012 All-Ireland-winning GAA team.
And Ard na Ratha GAA club, with which he was heavily involved, has suspended all activities as a mark of respect.
‘WE ARE NUMB’
It said: “As a club and parish, we are numb at the tragic death of our former chairman, treasurer, and community leader Stephen.”
The investigation is being run by detectives from the Donegal Crime Functional Area, who are based at Ballyshannon Garda Station.
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