Gardaí say postmortem will determine investigation into death of man found unresponsive in Cork

Ukrainian refugee in his 40s found in car park of hotel after emergency services were alerted by motorist

22/01/2021 ****FILE PHOTO ****
A Garda Car at the CHQ building at The IFSC in Dublin's city Centre 
yesterday.Garda in Store Street investigating the serious assault that occurred on the pedestrian walkway, between Georges Dock and Custom House Quay IFSC Dublin 1 on Wednesday night 20th January 2021 have made an arrest. 
Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins
Gardaí cordoned off the scene as a precautionary measure to allow for a scene-of-crime examination. File photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Gardaí say the results of a postmortem examination will determine the course of their investigation into the death of a man who had been found unresponsive near Cork Airport.

It is understood the man, a Ukrainian national in his 40s, was found in the car park of the Cork Airport Hotel early this morning when a motorist raised the alarm and paramedics attended to the man.

The man was initially treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he was pronounced dead, with initial reports suggesting he might have suffered a cardiac event.

However, gardaí cordoned off the scene as a precautionary measure to allow for a scene-of-crime examination. It is understood they have also seized a car, which will be forensically examined by Garda technical experts.

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Gardaí have requested the services of the State Pathologist Office and say that their investigation will be guided by the findings of the postmortem on the deceased which is expected to take place at the morgue at Cork University Hospital on Monday.

It is understood the deceased was a Ukrainian refugee, who was staying at the Cork Airport Hotel which is currently being used to accommodate Ukrainians seeking international protection following the Russian invasion of their homeland in 2022.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times