GARDAÍ IN Co Kerry are asking anyone who spoke to or saw a man whose death is now being treated as suspicious to contact them.
Gardaí had initially thought James Cahillane (58) died of injuries suffered when a fire broke out at his home at Ardraw, Beaufort, between Killarney and Killorglin.
However, a postmortem by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster revealed he had received head injuries. Gardaí now believe the injuries were consistent with a violent assault.
Mr Cahillane’s funeral took place yesterday.
Insp Donal Ashe said Mr Cahillane had been very popular and was well known. He has asked anyone who may have spoken to him between 6pm on Wednesday, April 18th, and the early hours of Thursday, April 19th, to contact gardaí at Cahersiveen on 066-9473600, or at Killorglin. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence, he said.
The dead man, who lived alone, had worked as an electrician and tradesman. He had been socialising in Killorglin earlier and had taken a taxi home.
Neighbours alerted the emergency services at 2.20am and fire crews were on the scene in 12 minutes. Garda technicians were still examining the scene yesterday.