Police are on the hunt for three men after a father-of-three was knifed to death, after he enjoyed an afternoon with friends in Hendon.
Brian McIlvaney, 42, who lived in Sydney Grove, was stabbed several times in the chest in nearby Studio Mews, off Glebe Crescent. Emergency services were called to the scene at 4.20pm on Saturday, but could not save him.
Police, who say they are keeping an open mind about a possible motive, have arrested a 38-year-old north London man in connection with the murder. The unnamed suspect has been bailed until later this month, while further enquiries are made.
Mr McIlvaney had just left a friend's home in Studio Mews when he was stabbed outside the home of another friend. The blood-splattered front wall of Angela Burchill's home marks the spot where he was killed.
"He was a lovely guy," said Ms Burchill. "There was a load of us in here. There was a knock on the door and he just came in, falling over. I've not spoken to his wife she's too devastated."
She said she had no idea why anyone would want to kill him.
June White, another friend of the victim, who also lives in one of the converted garages in Studio Mews, said: "He was a really decent bloke. He used to give me a lift up the road to the chemist because I'm ill. Nothing was too much for him. He knew everybody round here. It's terrible."
Mr McIlvaney and his Australian-born wife lived in her native country for some time, and he had picked up an Australian accent.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the couple and their children had been evicted from a bedsit in Sydney Grove on Saturday the same day Mr McIlvaney was killed.
If you have any information about the attack, call the Barnet police incident room at Hendon on 020 8358 1774 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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