Gardaí last night launched a murder inquiry into the death of a 49-year-old father of six in Rialto, Dublin, on Wednesday night.
The inquiry was launched after the cause of death was made known by the post-mortem examination, carried out by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy yesterday afternoon.
The man, whose name has not yet been released, died as a result of several blows to the head.
Gardaí confirmed they had recovered a blunt instrument believed to have been used in the attack.
The man, originally from Rathfarnham, had been living with his daughter at a flat in Dolphin House, a council estate in Rialto for a few years. He was discovered by his 24-year-old son at approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The son immediately raised the alarm.
Gardaí and ambulance staff attended the scene and the man was taken to St James's Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
As of last night, there was no apparent motive for the death. There was no evidence of forced entry into the flat, suggesting the man knew his attacker.
Described by Supt Eddie Quirke of Kilmainham station as "an upstanding member of the community", the dead man was a mature student at nearby Crumlin College and was studying business and computers.
The father of two boys and four girls was described by neighbours yesterday as "quiet, unassuming but intelligent".
A number of residents in the estate describing the attack as "horrific and senseless".