Police in Glasgow are investigating the murder of a Co Donegal man in the city last weekend.
William McKeeney (57), was attacked by two men in Melville Street, in the Pollokshields area of Glasgow, at around 12.40am on Sunday as he walked home from a night out.
Police said Mr McKeeney, who is originally from Malin Head, was subjected to a “sustained and violent” assault and left unconscious on the pavement. He was taken by ambulance to the Victoria Infirmary where he died from his injuries without regaining consciousness.
The lorry driver had been living in Glasgow for the past five years. Police said that there was no apparent motive for the attack.
Strathclyde Police said Mr McKeeney’s 48-year-old partner had heard a disturbance and had seen the attack from the window of their ground floor flat - but had not known he was the victim. It was only when she went outside that she realised it was her partner.
Mr McKeeney had been out locally and had called his partner shortly before he was attacked to say he was coming home. His partner, and his family, have been left “completely devastated” by the death, police said.
“Mr McKeeney suffered massive injuries to his head and body in what can only be described as a brutal and sustained attack,” DCI David Gailey told a press briefing yesterday.
“To speculate on a motive at this time is completely unhelpful, and indeed may hinder our investigation, however, we are keeping an open mind as to why it happened.
“People should be repulsed by what has happened and I would ask them to think about the effect this has had on his partner, and indeed the local community.”
He said Mr McKeeney was “extremely popular” and “well known” in the local community and had no known enemies.
Police are looking for two men of Asian appearance in connection with Mr McKeeney’s death - but there is currently “absolutely nothing” to suggest he was murdered for racial reasons, DCI Gailey said.
“The cause of Mr McKeeney’s death was the result of a physical attack on him. He suffered injuries to his head and body - there is nothing to suggest a weapon was used - but I’m not in a position to rule a particular weapon out,” he said.
“At the moment it would appear that it was a completely unprovoked and violent attack. There is absolutely nothing at the moment to suggest to me that this is a racially motive attack.”
Some 60 officers are working on the case.
PA