Man arrested in connection with 2012 Kerry murder released

Gardaí are to prepare a file for the DPP after releasing without charge a man arrested for questioning about the murder of a father of two in Co Kerry over two years ago.

Detectives arrested the 29-year-old man at his home near Killorglin shortly before 7am yesterday morning for questioning about the murder of James Cahillane.

The body of Mr Cahillane (58) was found in the badly burned ruin of his house at Ardraw in Beaufort, where he lived alone, early on the morning of April 19th 2012.

Initially gardaí thought Mr Cahillane had died in the house fire but a post-mortem by assistant state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster found he had been assaulted.

Gardaí believe Mr Cahillane’s killer set his house alight in a bid to destroy any DNA evidence and upon receipt of the post-mortem results, began a murder inquiry.

The man arrested yesterday morning was brought to Tralee Garda station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning about the killing.

Shortly before 3pm today, gardaí released the man without charge and officers will now prepare a file on the matter for the DPP, a Garda spokesman confirmed.