Gardaí are awaiting the results of a post-mortem on the body of a man found dead in his Donegal home over the weekend.
A murder inquiry began last night after Mr Sean Duffy (36) was found suffering serious head injuries in Meenacross, near Dungloe, on Saturday afternoon.
Gardaí confirmed tonight there was evidence that a crossbow was used in the murder. They refused to comment on speculation the blows to his head were caused by an axe.
Mr Duffy was last seen alive at 2.30 a.m. on Saturday when he left his parent's house nearby. He is likely to have driven there from the Strand View bar where he had been socialising on Friday night.
Garda forensic experts have been examining the location, and Garda sources last night indicated there were signs of a struggle in the house, suggesting he had been attacked.
His body was found by his younger brother on Saturday afternoon.
Gardaí are appealing for information and can be contacted at Glenties Garda Station on (074) 9551108.