Gardaí investigating the suspicious death of Kilbeggan pensioner Christy Hanley said today they are satisfied they are now dealing with a murder case.
Supt Aidan Glacken told The Irish Times that officers believe that Mr Hanley (83) "was assaulted and this contributed to his death", but Supt Glacken would not reveal the results of a post mortem that took place over a number of hours last night.
Supt Glacken said that evidence, from the scene and on the remains, indicate that Mr Hanley was murdered.
Supt Glacken also renewed his appeal to the person who first informed gardaí about the death of Mr Hanley to contact them again and also asked for those who were in the company of Mr Hanley on Wednesday to come forward to assist the investigation team.
The body of Mr Hanley was found at his small house on Bridge Street in the lower main street of Kilbeggan yesterday morning. It is believed the frail bachelor had been the victim of a robbery and assault, and was found tied to a chair. His body was discovered at 10am yesterday after an anonymous call was made to a Garda station.
Supt Glacken appealed to the phone caller to make contact. "Obviously the person who made that call did so out of concern for the welfare of Christy Hanley," he said.
A large Garda technical and forensic examination team has been assigned to the case.
Mr Hanley was described by local people as a gentle, frail man. He worked at race meetings and fairs with a gaming stall.
A neighbour said the pensioner was only about six stone in weight, and described him as a diminutive "inoffensive man who would never say boo to a fly".
Supt Glacken said officers were satisfied that Mr Hanley was seen alive after 5pm on Wednesday, but need to "fill in the gap" in information as to his movements from then until 10am on Thursday.
"We are appealing to anybody who was in Kilbeggan during that time, that saw anything, that knows Mr Hanley, or can bring any information to us," he said.