Gardai fear machete was used in savage Dublin attack that claimed man's life

Gardaí are investigating whether a machete was used in a brutal attack that claimed the life of a man in West Dublin . Anthony ‘Anto’ Long, 41, was found with horrific injuries on the street of Parslickstown Drive in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, in the early hours of last Friday morning. He died in hospital on Sunday - and Gardaí are now set to launch a murder investigation after determining that he was brutally attacked by a number of people outside. It is understood that sticks and poles were used in the incident. Gardaí now also fear that a machete was used in the course of the attack, which took place after a social gathering at around 3.55am on Friday. Speaking to the Irish Mirror, a niece of Mr Long spoke of the family’s heartbreak over his death, as they condemned the cruel manner in which his life was taken . “We’re all in such a state of shock that he went like this and how he would have never done this to somebody,” Nikita O’Callaghan Long said. “I’m his Goddaughter. We’re all just truly devastated. He didn’t deserve to go like this,” she added. “He had the biggest heart and he’d do anything for anyone. He'd take the clothes off his back for a stranger, he was the easiest going person and the looker of the family.” Nikita explained that her Godfather comes from a large family - all of whom are devastated over his loss. “Anto comes from a big family. There’s 12 of them: his sisters Melissa, Tina, Samantha, Carol Mena, Michelle, Ashling and brothers Peter, Mark, Daryl and Johnny. “He had the brightest and most contagious smile and he was family to everyone. He had the greatest friends and we’re grateful for them being there for him too. “We just want his memory to live on because he’s a big, big loss to our family,” she said. A Liverpool jersey and a picture of Mr Long now sit at the spot where he was attacked last Friday - as the family marked his memory with a vigil there on Monday evening. Gardaí are now working to try and establish a motive for the attack. In a press release on Sunday, they confirmed that the victim had died in hospital following what they said was a fatal assault which occurred at approximately 3.55am last Friday. “An adult male, aged in his 40s, who was conveyed to hospital for treatment of serious injuries, has since passed away," a Garda spokesperson said. “The office of the local Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course. “This investigation is being coordinated from an incident room at Blanchardstown Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer. A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to the family.” Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information in relation to this incident or who may have video footage (including dash-cam), or who were in the area of Parslickstown, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 between 3am and 4.30am on Friday, 3 July. Anyone with information is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on (01) 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here .