TWO BROTHERS have been detained in custody in Turkey for the murder of popular Irish theatre director John Donnelly (64) in Bodrum in June, Turkish media reports have stated.
News organization Hurriyet has reported that brothers Mehmet Irmak (28), from Kocaeli and Sinan Irmak (20), from Bodrum, have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of the Dublin man who had a long-time association with Wexford Light Opera Society (WLOS) and other musical groups.
Two other men were released by the prosecutor’s office following questioning, English-language media organisation in Turkey, Voices, told the Wexford Echo.
His family now face a lengthy wait for justice, as no date for a court appearance has yet been announced and the trial is expected to be a lengthy process when it does commence, Voices stated.
Mr. Donnelly was found dead on June 3rd in an apartment which he was renting in the area of Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi.
Police were alerted after neighbours identified a bloodied knife in front of the apartment at about 2pm that day.
Mr. Donnelly was reportedly found lying naked on the floor of his apartment on the morning following the attack, having died from a single stab wound.
According to police, the theatre director’s apartment had been ransacked and robbery was a possible motive.
Available CCTV footage and workplace safety cameras were said to have been widely studied by Bodrum Police prior to the arrests being made.
In a statement, police said footage showed two men leaving Mr. Donnelly’s apartment during the night.
A discussion between the victim and the brothers had escalated at the apartment and resulted in fatal blows being landed, the Haberturk newspaper has suggested.
Mr. Donnelly had travelled to holiday in Turkey shortly after producing hit WLOS musical ‘Evita’ in April.
Read more in the Wexford Echo.