The body of Limerick murder victim Jeffrey Hannan was released to his family yesterday as gardaí continued to search for those responsible for his brutal killing. Kathryn Hayesand Conor Lallyreport.
Despite some reports no weapon was found at the scene of the murder, which took place less than 100 yards from the 19-year-old's home in O'Malley Park, Southill, on Thursday morning.
Senior Garda sources have also denied rumours that the father of one was decapitated in the horrific attack.
Postmortem results did reveal, however, that he died from serious head injuries, which it is understood were inflicted with a heavy, sharp instrument. Gardaí said the attack was one of the most vicious they have seen.
The body of the 19-year-old was discovered by a man out walking at 10.30am on Thursday.
Mr Hannon, who only recently returned home from England, was last seen alive by his mother at a bonfire near his home at 1.50am on Thursday.
Gardaí spent yesterday speaking to those who were with him in the hours before his death. Detectives investigating the murder are confident that some residents in the area have information that will solve the case.
Door-to-door inquiries continued throughout yesterday. Gardaí said the recovery of the murder weapon may prove difficult because the axe-type implement they are looking for would be commonly found in houses.
It is believed a gang who are based in the area are among the suspects. This group lives close to the murder scene and may have been with Mr Hannan at the bonfire when he was killed.
While no clear motive has been established for the killing, gardaí say it was not feud-related. They believe the victim was killed in a spur-of-the-moment row rather than a well-planned attack.
Mr Hannon was described by his family as a quiet individual who kept to himself.
His father Alan Hannan said his son was due to start a barman apprenticeship next week but instead the family is now preparing for his removal, which will take place tomorrow evening.
His body will be laid out at Crosses funeral home in Limerick city from 7pm and funeral Mass will take place in the Holy Family Church in Southill at 11am on Monday.
Mr Hannon is survived by his one-year-old daughter Nikitta, his parents Alan and Geraldine, his sister Emily (22) and his younger brother Alan Jnr (14).
The area where his body was discovered remained sealed off for most of yesterday as gardaí continued to search for clues to the violent murder.
In a separate investigation two women were arrested by gardaí in Limerick yesterday in connection with the death of Noel Crawford who was also murdered in O'Malley Park, Southill, on December 18th last year.
The women who are aged in their 20s and 40s were being held for questioning under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at separate Garda stations in the city.
A man aged in his 20s who was arrested in Dublin yesterday as part of the same investigation was being detained for questioning at Mountjoy Garda station last night.
Noel Crawford was shot dead outside his parents' home by a gang who were targeting his younger brother Paul, who admitted at the time that he was the intended target. Nobody has yet been charged with Mr Crawford's murder.