Four released after questioning over Bweeng death

Gardaí are to prepare a file for the DPP on the killing of Peter Murphy at Shanavoher

Gardaí investigating the death of Peter Murphy in north Cork earlier this year are to prepare a file for the DPP. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Gardaí investigating the death of Peter Murphy in north Cork earlier this year are to prepare a file for the DPP. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times

Gardaí investigating the killing of a man in north Cork earlier this year are to prepare a file for the DPP after releasing without charge four men they had arrested for questioning about the death.

Detectives believe that the death of Peter Murphy at his rented home at Shanavoher in Bweeng some 10km from Mallow in February may have been drugs related.

Three of the men were arrested on Wednesday in Buttevant and Doneraile and were questioned in Cobh and Fermoy Garda stations.

A Garda spokesman confirmed that detectives will prepare a file for the DPP in respect of the three men and another man arrested in Buttevant on Monday, who was released on Wednesday night.

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Detectives are continuing to question a fifth man, who was arrested on Monday in Doneraile and taken to Mallow Garda Station for questioning.

The men were arrested under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows gardaí to detain suspects involved in organised crime for up to seven days.

Arrests

The arrests are the first made by gardaí investigating the death of Mr Murphy, whom detectives believe was beaten to death at his rented home in Bweeng on February 5th or 6th.

Gardaí believe Mr Murphy may have been attacked in one room and either crawled or was dragged by his assailants into the sitting room, where he was found on February 7th.

The post-mortem carried out by assistant state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster confirmed that Mr Murphy was dead for at least 12 hours when he was found at 1.30pm on February 7th.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times