TWO men wanted by detectives for questioning over the fatal stabbing of Carlisle man Ryan Kirkpatrick are to go before an extradition court in Dublin next Friday. 

Mr Kirkpatrick, 24, died in what detectives believe was a "targeted attack" at Carlyle's Court in the city centre on September 18.

Despite the efforts of police officers and paramedics to save him, he died at the scene. The tragedy has triggered a huge investigation, which so far has resulted in 13 arrests.

The two suspects in the Republic of Ireland, who were detained on European arrest warrants, have been named in local press reports there as Kane Hull, 28, and 32-year-old Liam Porter.

Both made an initial appearance at the Extradition Court in Dublin last week before Mr Justice Paul Burns.

The warrants used to arrest them were issued by Carlisle Magistrates Court last week, the court heard. Both men were arrested 'on foot' in the Carracastle area of County Mayo in the west of the country.

Caroline Hyland, from the Castlebar Garda station, said that she was satisfied from her inquiries that the person brought before the court following the arrest she made was Kane Hull.

He responded with the words "no comment" when asked if he understood the summary of his alleged offence, the court heard.

Porter responded to the officer who arrested him with the words: "Yeah, I understand, yeah." Both men were remanded in custody and will appear in the court again on October 15, according to court papers seen by The Cumberland News.

Senior Cumbrian police officers, however, have declined to discuss any details of the arrests in The Republic of Ireland but they did describe the events there as "significant".

If the men oppose their extradition, the process could take several weeks to reach a conclusion.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police confirmed that the two men arrested in Ireland last week remain in custody. Both were detained on suspicion of Mr Kirkpatrick's murder, said the spokesman.

Meanwhile, the family of Mr Kirkpatrick this week announced details of his funeral. On social media, Brook Street-based funeral director Sean Crilley shared a statement from Mr Kirkpatrick's family.

They described him as a "very much loved, cherished and charming son to his mother, father and step-father, brother to Mark, Jack and Charlie, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and a true friend to many.

The statement added: "His funeral service will be held at St Elisabeth’s Church, Harraby, Carlisle to which ALL are welcome on Tuesday October 12 at 9.15am followed by a private committal at Carlisle Crematorium for family and invitation only.

"Flowers may be brought along to the church service.

"Smart or casual dress is preferred but if you wish to wear a suit the family would like to request a pale blue tie be worn." In the days after the tragedy, Mr Kirkpatrick's family described him as "the light" of their lives, saying he was "beautiful, kind and caring".

The most recent arrests in the murder investigation happened yesterday. Two women were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender. They were a 50-year-old woman from the Dumfries area and a 28-year-old woman from Carlisle.

A 31-year-old man, also from Dumfriesshire, was arrested on Wednesday and bailed pending further inquiries.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Carlisle woman Hannah Green has set up an online GoFundMe appeal to help Mr Kirkpatrick's family - to help fund funeral expenses, a memorial, and to boost efforts to combat knife crime.

Since the tragedy became public, there has been an outpouring of shock and sympathy for Mr Kirkpatrick and his family, much of it expressed on social media.

* Police are continuing to appeal for information that may help their investigation, including dashcam footage which may have been kept by motorists who were in the area on the night of the tragedy.

If you can help the police investigation call 101, or Crimestoppers (anonymously if you wish) on 0800 555 111. You can also offer information online at the Cumbrian force's dedicated online platform for the investigation by going to this link.