A postmortem is taking place this morning on the body of a schoolteacher and publican who was found dead on his premises in Oughterard in Co Galway yesterday evening.
State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy has arrived at the scene and is carrying out a preliminary postmortem to try to determine the cause of death.
John Kenny was a teacher in his mid-50s was a teacher at Presentation College, Athenry. His daughter Gillian is on the staff at the school. Mr Kenny also owned a pub adjoining his house in the popular angling village, situated close to the shores of Lough Corrib.
The alarm was raised when his body was found on the premises yesterday afternoon. Gardaí were called to the scene shortly after 6pm, and the location was sealed off for forensic examination.
Detectives are treating the incident as “suspicious”. It is understood that he was found with his arms tied behind his back.
Mr Kenny, the son of a former garda, had one daughter and siblings who live in the area. His pub was opened on an occasional basis in the village, known as the “gateway” to Connemara, on the N59 route linking Galway to the northwest of the county. It is understood that it had been open for business on Saturday night.
In a statement issued today, Presentation College said that it was with “deep regret” that it had learned of the “untimely death” of Mr Kenny.
“Our thoughts lie with his family, especially his wife Kathleen and his daughter, Gillian, who is also a colleague of ours in the school,” the statement said. “John was a valued member of the teaching staff of Presentation College, Athenry, for the past 19 years. He was held in high esteem by staff, students and parents alike.”
It said Mr Kenny taught German, history and religion, and was heavily involved in the extra-curricular activities of the school, particularly soccer. “The whole school community is deeply shocked and saddened at this time.”
Independent Galway county councillor Thomas Welby said he knew Mr Kenny well. “He was born and reared here, he was well known in the locality, and so this is a very big shock to the community.”
Supt Tony O'Donnell appealed to anyone who was in the pub on Saturday night to contact the gardaí at 091-538000.
