The Co Offaly publican who was found dead yesterday morning in his pub in Daingean died of head injuries, a post mortem has revealed.
Matt Farrell (64) was found tied to a chair in the downstairs area of his pub, The Gaelic Arms, in Daingean by his son Matthew at around 7.30am. Both father and son lived in an area off the pub.
About 100 gardaí have been drafted into the investigation of Mr Farrell’s death. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room at Tullamore Garda station on 057 9327078.
Garda spokesman Superintendent John Gilligan said senior gardaí from headquarters along with local officers, the Garda Technical Bureau and officers from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation are involved to determining how Mr Farrell died.
He said the Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has become personally involved in the investigation reflecting the seriousness of the crime.
“He (the commissioner) has been in constant touch with the senior officers here to ensure all the necessary resources have been deployed to assist in the investigation,” he said.
“We have in relation to every aspect, from technical to air support and division search team over 100 people involved.
“We in the Garda Siochána believe the protection of life and property comes before everything else. We immediately have to adopt an approach that every possible resource is given to this investigation,” he said.