Murder probe launched into Daingean death
A murder investigation is underway in Offaly following the death of well-known publican Matthew Farrell in Daingean on Wednesday. A post-mortem examination established that the 64-year-old died as a result of head injuries. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis found that Mr Farrell had received 'blunt force trauma' to the head. The post mortem was carried out in Tullamore Hospital on Wednesday evening. Gardaí released the findings yesterday and announced that a murder hunt was underway. Up to 100 officers from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and local gardaí, are now working on the case based from Tullamore Garda Station. They have been carrying out door-to-door enquiries and interviewing locals in a bid to find out any information that may help the investigation. They"re appealing for anyone with information to contact the incident room at Tullamore Garda station on 057 9327078. Mr Farrell"s body was found on the floor of his home in Daingean on Wednesday morning, his hands tied behind his back. It"s believed that the attack was carried out on the man after a gang broke into the domestic section of the building and were surprised to find someone downstairs. Around €250 was stolen in the robbery. Initially, gardaí thought that he may have died from a heart attack, brought on by the shock of being caught up in the robbery. The last person to see Mr Farrell alive was a barmaid, who shared a drink with him after closing time at around 2.30am on Wednesday morning. Mr Farrell slept downstairs in the house as he suffered from arthritis and could no longer manage the stairs. Mr Farrell"s son Matthew jnr then found him dead that morning at 7.30am. He was treated for shock at the scene. Locals in Daingean and the surrounds are still trying to come to terms with the shocking death of a man described as a quiet, decent sort. 'The whole town is in complete shock,' said a local. 'He"s spent all his life in Daingean, he must have run that pub for 35 years.' The local added that there has been a spate of robberies in the small town recently. Parish Priest Fr Paddy Byrne who spoke to Mr Farrell"s children on Wednesday said that the family are 'devastated and dumbfounded'. 'There"s never been a murder case in Daingean before... the local community are in shock and are upset. Some people are frightened, they feel they are not safe in their own homes, especially elderly people.' Mr Farrell had four adult children, two sons and two daughters, to his first wife, who herself tragically died 25 years ago when she choked on a piece of food. He previously worked with Bord na Mona. His son Matthew, who found him, is a eucharistic minister in the parish church. No funeral arrangements have been made as yet, but it"s thought that funeral mass will take place in Mary Mother of God Church and Mr Farrell will be buried in St Mary"s Cemetery within the next few days.