Gardaí treating death of man in Donegal as personal tragedy

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda station

Gardaí said a postmortem had been completed by the Office of the State Pathologist, the results of which were not being released for operational purposes. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Gardaí said a postmortem had been completed by the Office of the State Pathologist, the results of which were not being released for operational purposes. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien

Gardaí are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of a man in his 50s in Co Donegal on Friday evening.

While they are appealing to anyone with information, it is understood they are currently treating the man’s death as a personal tragedy.

The man, who was named locally as John Kelly (56), was discovered lying in a laneway behind a row of houses in Knockalla Drive in Buncrana.

A vigil for Mr Kelly took place at St Oran’s School in Buncrana on Saturday evening, where he worked as a caretaker, which was attended by children, parents and teachers. A book of condolences is also due to be opened at the school.

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Donegal TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said the community of Buncrana was “heartbroken” at the death of Mr Kelly.

Gardaí said a postmortem had been completed by the Office of the State Pathologist, the results of which were not being released for operational purposes.

They have appealed to anyone who was in Knockalla Drive or the surrounding area between 6.30pm and 8pm on Friday evening, or anyone who may have any information in relation to the incident who have not yet spoken to gardaí to come forward.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda station on 074-9320540.

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is a reporter for The Irish Times