The murder of a barman in Limerick city centre in the early hours of yesterday morning may have been linked to his opposition to drug-dealers trying to use the pub where he worked. Mr Noel Pyper (48), who lived in Henry Street, is believed to have died from head injuries after being attacked in nearby Newenham Street. He was walking home from the pub where he worked, Noel's Bar in Catherine Street, and was just a short distance from his home when the fatal attack occurred.
A person living in the area heard a commotion and at least two men shouting at about 1.40 a.m. The witness told gardai the sounds came from the top of the lane off Newenham Street where Mr Pyper's body was found by a delivery man at about 8.40 a.m. The body was hidden behind two large wheelie-bins.
Gardai say they have established no motive for the murder. Some money believed to have belonged to the victim was found at the scene.
One line of inquiry being pursued is that Mr Pyper's death may have been linked to his opposition to drug-pushers trying to use the pub where he worked.
Chief Supt Michael Fitzgerald, who is conducting the investigation, said the death could be linked to the drugs issue, but added: "I will not go down that road just now, as it would limit our scope of inquiries."
He said the dead man had extensive head injuries and a severe loss of blood, and appeared to have been dragged up the lane. There was, he said, every indication a struggle had taken place and all the injuries were on the upper part of the body. More than one attacker could have been involved, the chief superintendent said.
Mr Pyper was separated from his wife, and the couple have a son and a daughter. His family lives in England. Mr Pyper was a native of Macroom, Co Cork, but had lived in Limerick for most of his life, where he worked as a barman.
A post-mortem was carried out by the Chief State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, at the Limerick Regional Hospital yesterday evening. The results are not yet known but Mr Pyper is believed to have died from extensive injuries to the head. Det Insp John Kerin said gardai will examine business security videos along the route at the time of the attack on Mr Pyper "to see if he was being followed and to see who else was in the area".
Mr Pyper was described as being a noticeably thin man. He had short dark hair and was dressed in a beige, zip-front jacket and a pair of grey trousers. He was of medium height.
Local people said the street where Mr Pyper was attacked is usually quiet at around 1.40 a.m., as most people from the pubs have gone home and the night clubs would still be open.