Gardaí in Limerick have begun a murder investigation following the discovery of the body of a man (74) in an elderly people's accommodation complex in the city early this morning.
The single man, named locally as Mr Joe O'Doherty, was found lying his home in the grounds of a convent at Good Shepherd Avenue, Pennywell.
It is understood the man had a number of head injuries. He had apparently been beaten up and detectives believe he may have opened the front door of his bungalow to his attacker. The alert was raised when his panic button alarm signal went off.
State Pathologist Dr John Harbison is conducting a preliminary survey at the scene. Garda forensic officers are also examining the house.
Sister Breege Mullins, who runs the complex, described Mr O'Doherty as a "lovely, quiet and popular man". She added: "The other residents here are very upset at what has happened. They are also shocked and afraid".
The gardaí said they were trying to trace a man seen leaving the complex shortly before the discovery of Mr O'Doherty's body.
Additional reporting PA
