The victim, Juris Kokenbergs (49), originally from Latvia, was found dead at a house in Oldbridge Park, Lucan, yesterday morning.
A man aged in his 20s, who was known to Mr Kokenbergs, was arrested at the scene and remained in custody last night.
A number of people were in the property when gardaí arrived, and it is understood these people provided statements.
One line of inquiry being pursued as a possible motive is that the assault happened after the victim was accused of making inappropriate advances towards a woman at the house.
Gardaí are investigating whether the suspect in custody reacted angrily towards this, leading to the fatal assault in the “spur of the moment”.
Gardaí were waiting yesterday for the results of a post-mortem examination to determine when Mr Kokenbergs died and to give an indication of when the fatal assault happened.
“A number of people were in the house at the time, and what exactly happened has to be bottomed out,” a source said.
“It’s possible that they didn’t at first realise the seriousness of the assault and only later realised that the victim was in fact dead.
“The suspect didn’t make any attempt to flee or anything like that and was present at the scene when gardaí arrived.”
It is believed alcohol was a factor, and gardaí are continuing to question the suspect.
Local Independent councillor Paul Gogarty said: “It’s terrible to hear this news. My sympathies to the family of the deceased.
“Oldbridge Park is the main long entrance road into Oldbridge, a small estate in Lucan.
“It’s not an area you would normally associate with a huge amount of anti-social behaviour or any criminal behaviour.
“While there are some regular-turnover rented properties where people would not necessarily get to know their neighbours, it’s generally a fairly settled area with an active WhatsApp group of engaged residents and would have a lot of young children living in the area and going to local schools.
“Issues raised normally don’t go beyond things like speeding, bad parking and traffic congestion.”
A garda spokesperson said: “The coroner has been notified and the services of the Garda Technical Bureau and state pathologist have been requested.
“A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Lucan garda station.
“A family liaison officer will be appointed to support the deceased’s family.”
