Siblings fear brother was attacked before he drowned in Shannon

A brother and sister are appealing for information about the death of their brother, who they believe was assaulted before he died in the River Shannon last year.

Nicky Lyons’s family said they have “unanswered questions” as to how he died, despite a Garda investigation finding no clear evidence of foul play in his death last April.

John and Catriona Lyons appealed for information about a man in a white hoodie seen with their brother just before he died.

A postmortem found Nicky Lyons's death was consistent with drowning, but alcohol and medication were contributory factors. State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy also noted an injury to his jaw.

“A witness . . . heard a heated argument,” said John.

Their father James and brother William also drowned in the river in 1996 and 1993. “We are a broken family,” said the siblings.

Limerick City Coroner recorded an open verdict.