Garda widens appeal over pensioner's death

Gardaí investigating the murder of Cork man Christy "Gussie" Hornibrook have appealed to anyone who may have been in the vicinity…

Gardaí investigating the murder of Cork man Christy "Gussie" Hornibrook have appealed to anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the pensioner's house the night before he was found dead to contact them. Mr Hornibrook (74) was found dead at his home in Templeacre Tavern, Garranabraher, on the north side of Cork city last Tuesday.

Gardaí have issued a special appeal to taxi drivers who were in the area the previous night to come forward if they have any relevant information. However, they have also asked members of the public who may have been walking in the area on the night in question to contact them if they noticed anyone acting suspiciously.

Gardaí carried out hundreds of house calls last week as their door-to-door inquiries widened to include areas such as Colmcille Road, Baker's Road and parts of Cathedral Road. Sixty gardaí are working on the case and up to 500 completed questionnaires are being examined.

The murder has shocked residents in Gurranabraher as Mr Hornibrook was a frail, vulnerable man who kept to himself.

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He often walked around the area and was last seen near his home at 9.30pm the night before he was found dead. It is thought his death may have occurred as a result of a botched robbery, as his hands were bound.

The cause of death has not been made public for operational reasons.

Gardaí have also repeated their appeal to an anonymous caller to the incident room in Gurranabraher last Wednesday morning about the case to make contact again.

It is thought the person has valuable information that could lead to a breakthrough.

An incident room has been set up at Gurranabraher Garda station. Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí on (021) 494 6209.

Mr Hornibrook's removal takes place from O'Connor's Funeral Home, North Gate Bridge, at 6.30pm tomorrow to the Church of the Ascension in Gurranabraher.

Requiem Mass for Mr Hornibrook will take place at 2pm on Wednesday with burial afterwards in Douglas Cemetery.