Gardai detain man after Kilkenny death

Gardai in Kilkenny are investigating the violent death of a man in the city centre early yesterday.

Mr Simon Hoyne (31), a builder's labourer from Tullaroan, was found on John's Green at about 3 a.m. after a fight had taken place. A 20-year-old man was arrested close to the scene and detained for questioning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The incident took place during the busiest weekend of the year in Kilkenny, the annual Cat Laughs comedy festival which brings thousands of visitors to the city. Gardai, however, regard this as coincidental and said there was no connection between the festival and Mr Hoyne's death.

A Garda squad car arrived on the scene as the fracas was taking place. Mr Hoyne was found lying on his right side with blood on his face. He died at the scene, where a preliminary investigation was carried out on his body at about 1 p.m. yesterday by the deputy State pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy.

The body was then removed to Waterford Regional Hospital for a post-mortem. Members of the Garda technical bureau from Dublin examined the scene.

Gardai appealed to anyone who was in the area between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. to contact them at the incident room in Kilkenny, telephone 056-22222. They particularly wish to speak to a man who they believe was not involved in the assault on Mr Hoyne but may be able to help with their inquiries.

The man detained for questioning is from the Kilkenny area.

A local Fianna Fail councillor, Mr Pat Millea, said the entire community of Tullaroan, eight miles from Kilkenny city, was shocked by Mr Hoyne's death. Mr Hoyne was a lovely, inoffensive person, who was a great worker and extremely well liked, he said. The Irish Embassy in the United States was attempting to contact the dead man's brother, Martin, who lives in Australia but recently left for a holiday in Florida. The funeral arrangements were not being finalised until he could be contacted.

Mr Hoyne is also survived by another brother, two sisters and his mother, Joan. His father, Martin, a farmer, died two years ago.

A businessman who knew the deceased, Mr Chris Walsh, said he was a quiet man who had never been in any trouble. Mr Hoyne had been working for a building contractor on a citycentre hotel site.