Gardaí investigate possible drugs link in Cork death

Gardai investigating the death of a 36-year-old man in Co Cork are looking into the possibilty his death may have been related to drugs.

However, officers investigating the death of Peter Murphy at his rented home in Bweeng, about 10km from Mallow stress that this is simply one of a number of lines of inquiry.

Gardaí believe Mr Murphy may have been attacked in one room and either crawled or was dragged by his assailants into the sitting room, where he was found on Saturday.

Detectives have also narrowed down the time frame for the assault to between Thursday evening and Friday night.

The post-mortem carried out by assistant state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster on Sunday confirmed that Mr Murphy was dead for at least 12 hours when he was found at 1.30pm on Saturday.

Garda technical experts were continuing to carry out a forensic examination of the cottage at Shanavoher, Bweeng which Mr Murphy began renting over a year ago.

Gardaí are also due to carry out a search of a number of sheds on the property where Mr Murphy carried out repair work on lawnmowers, chainsaws, cars and motorbikes.

They are also due to continue examining CCTV footage from a number of houses in the general area which they hope will show traffic which passed along the quiet road by Mr Murphy’s house.

Gardaí have appealed to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Shanavoher area of Bweeng since Thursday to contact them at Mallow Garda Station on 022-31450.