Man (22) questioned over death of homeless man in Cork

French national Vincent Morgain (37) died after Cork city centre assault

Mr Morgain was drinking with up to eight other people on Lower Oliver Plunkett Street when a row broke out
Mr Morgain was drinking with up to eight other people on Lower Oliver Plunkett Street when a row broke out

Gardaí in Cork are set to resume questioning a man arrested in relation to the death of a 37-year-old homeless man in the city earlier this week.

French national Vincent Morgain (37) died in the Mercy University Hospital on Tuesday after suffering injuries in an assault in the city centre on September 10th.

Mr Morgain, who had been living in Cork for several years, was drinking with up to eight other people on Lower Oliver Plunkett Street at around 2.30pm on September 10th when a row broke out.

It is understood he received a number of blows to the head before he fell to the ground and struck his head. He was rushed by ambulance to the Mercy University Hospital.

READ SOME MORE

Mr Morgain was put on a life support machine but died on Tuesday after his family travelled from France and gave permission for the machine to be switched off and his organs to be donated.

Gardaí under Supt Tom Myers of Anglesea Street Garda Station arrested a 22 year old man in the Oliver Plunkett Street area on Thursday.

The man, who is originally from the Mallow area but is living in Cork city, was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The man was taken to the Bridewell Garda Station but questioning was suspended overnight and is set to resume on Friday. He can be held for up to 24 hours before being released or charged.

Meanwhile Supt Myers said gardaí had spoken to a number of people present during the row which led to the assault but he re-iterated an appeal for any other witnesses to contact them.

He said gardaí were anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen Mr Morgain - who lived at the Simon Hostel on Anderson's Quay - on the afternoon of September 10th.

He said Mr Morgain was 5ft 9in tall with a beard and of medium build and was wearing a dark navy top and a navy tracksuit pants when assaulted.

Gardaí have asked anyone with information to contact Anglesea Street Garda Station on (021) 4520000.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times