GARDAI in Galway are targeting a number of suspects in the investigation into the murder of retired farmer, Mr Tom Casey (68).
Chief Supt Tom Monaghan said that links with the suspects, who include members of the travelling community, were being pursued. In particular, possible links were being examined with two cases near Portumna, Co Galway, last month, where two elderly farmers were severely beaten and tied up.
The post mortem on Mr Casey confirmed that he suffered repeated blows or kicks to his head and chest. He had three major bruises on his head and three broken ribs. He was rendered unconscious while tied up during or after the beating. This led to death by asphyxiation as he lay face down in blood on the kitchen floor of his house in Oranmore near Galway city.
It is estimated that he died sometime during last weekend. His body was found on Tuesday.
The motive was believed to be robbery although it was unclear if any money was stolen, according to Chiefs Supt Monaghan. The autopsy was completed by State pathologist, Dr John Harbison, at University College Hospital, Galway, yesterday.
Asked about possible suspects, Chief Supt Monaghan said: "Among the suspects we will be checking will be a number of travelling community certainly. I acknowledge that the vast majority of the travelling community are law abiding, and I would appeal to them to get in touch with us if they are aware of anything that could help us with our inquiries.
He accepted that possible traveller involvement was a difficult and sensitive issue, and noted that there was a perception in rural Ireland that travelling community traders were operating in certain areas, which was "raising certain suspicions".
"That said, we have to look at all options; all suspects. That would include members of the travelling community," he added.
Chief Supt Monaghan said "all strands of society" had been interviewed in relation to recent attacks on the elderly living alone.
He confirmed that among those brought to court in relation to the recent attacks was a settled traveller arrested in Galway on January 15th who was convicted of possession of offensive weapons which including a knife and a baton.
The investigation team re examined Mr Casey's ransacked home yesterday after previously combing the area outside his house in a search for clues or a possible murder weapon.
In addition, house to house inquiries continued with the help of a number of officers assigned to a new unit to tackle rural crime.
While Mr Casey led a reclusive existence, he was fit and given that he was over six feet tall and weighed 14 stone, it is believed that he was attacked by at least two people.
The hunt for his killers is understood to have been considerably hampered by the delay in the discovery of the body.
