Inquiry begins after man's body found in derelict building

GARDAÍ IN Waterford last night began an investigation into the death of a man whose body was found in a derelict building near the city centre yesterday evening.

The body, identified by gardaí as that of a man in his 20s, was found in the building midway along Newgate Street, not far from the Cork Road in Waterford.

It is understood the body was found at about 5.30pm yesterday by two students when they entered the building, which was formerly used by art students at Waterford Institute of Technology.

They notified gardaí who immediately cordoned off the scene, and forensic experts from the Garda Technical Bureau are due to travel to Waterford this morning.

Gardaí requested the services of the State Pathologist’s office, and Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar is expected to carry out a preliminary examination of the body at the scene today.

Gardaí last night said they would await the results of Dr Jabbar’s postmortem before deciding what direction their inquiry into the death would take.

It is understood gardaí found blood at the scene but one source pointed out the man may have suffered injuries in a fall from the roof and was not necessarily the victim of an assault.

It is also understood the building had been frequented in recent times by street drinkers.Gardaí were last night trying to establish whether the man was a regular at the building, which faces down on to New Street.

Gardaí were also trying to speak to associates and friends of the dead man in a bid to establish his last known movements and when he was last seen alive. An incident room has been set up at Waterford Garda station and anyone with information is asked to contact it on 051-305300.

Meanwhile, gardaí were questioning a 44-year-old man in connection with the death of a woman in Dublin at the weekend.

Mary Ryan (37), originally from Drogheda, Co Louth, was found at her home on Sherrard Street with serious injuries on Saturday. She was taken to the Mater hospital, where she later died.

A man was arrested yesterday in Dublin and is being held at Mountjoy Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Gardaí launched a murder inquiry when a postmortem showed Ms Ryan had been assaulted.

Almost six years ago, her sister Breda (20), died nine days after she was was found unconscious by the side of the road.