Detectives in Ireland are investigating the double stabbing of two Pakistani nationals, in what could be the Republic’s first so-called honor killing, according to police sources.

A 30-year-old man handed himself in for questioning after his ex-wife was injured and her cousin killed in a knife attack in Co. Louth on Thursday.

The 32-year-old victim of the fatal stabbing was known locally as Muhammad Arif.

The alarm was raised after 2pm on Thursday when police were called to an apartment in Fitzwilliam Court in Dyer Street, Drogheda, Co Louth. There they found Mr Arif and a 30-year-old woman, both of whom had sustained knife injuries.

Both victims were immediately brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda before Mr Arif was transferred to St Vincents Hospital in Dublin where he died yesterday.

The woman’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Honor killings are carried out by family members in Muslim societies by  individuals from social groups who believe the victim has brought dishonor and shame upon the community.

The victim had been living in Ireland for some time and had worked as a security guard at Tesco.

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "This case is a matter for the gardai but we do sympathize with the victim's family at this difficult time."