GARDAÍ ARE to prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after last night releasing without charge three men arrested for questioning about an assault on a 65-year-old farmer who subsequently died from a heart attack.
Detectives arrested the three men at separate addresses in mid-Cork for questioning about an assault on John Twomey (65) and his brother Pat (68), from Rylane in mid-Cork, on August 19th.
All three were arrested between 8am and 8.30am yesterday under section four of the Criminal Justice Act and were taken to Bandon Garda station, where they were questioned about the assaults.
The period of detention for the three was extended at around 2pm yesterday and detectives from Macroom and Bandon continued to question them until 8pm, when they were released from Garda custody without charge.
Supt Vincent Duggan of Macroom Garda station, who is heading the investigation, said gardaí would now prepare a file for the DPP.
It is understood gardaí will include a detailed report on a postmortem carried out on Mr Twomey by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster, which confirmed that Mr Twomey died as a result of a heart attack.
Gardaí were alerted to an altercation involving Mr Twomey, his brother and three other men on land at Mount Rivers while the brothers were carrying out reclamation work on August 19th.
John Twomey had been operating a mechanical digger when the incident took place. He and his brother Pat complained to local gardaí that they had been assaulted.
The brothers incurred injuries in the course of the incident but their conditions were not thought to be life-threatening.
Gardaí called for an ambulance for the two. John Twomey suffered a heart attack en route to Cork University Hospital and, despite attempts by paramedics to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Pat Twomey was treated at the same hospital for injuries to both the head and body, including a broken arm. Gardaí waited for permission from doctors before interviewing him late last week about the incident.
The two brothers had lived in the village of Aghabullogue all their lives and were described as respected and valued members of the community.
John Twomey, who is survived by his brothers Patrick, Hugh and Con, sister Ann and close friend Monica Moorehouse, was buried yesterday at St Lachteen’s Cemetery in Stuake in nearby Donoughmore following requiem Mass at Aghabullogue Church.
Following Mr Twomey’s death last week, prayers were offered for him at his parish church in Rylane.