Gardaí said the results of a postmortem on the body of man found in Co Laois yesterday will determine the direction of the investigation.
The 26-year-old Latvian national was discovered with suspected stab wounds at a house on Spa Street in Portarlington at around 5pm.
Gardaí are continuing to question two Lithuanian nationals, one in his early 30s and another in his mid 40s, who were arrested at the scene. They are being held in Portlaoise and Tullamore Garda Stations.
It is understood the deceased lived in the house with one of the men. A row is believed to have taken place while the three were drinking there.
The remains of the deceased were removed from the property following a preliminary examination by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster this morning.
Although the case is expected to be upgraded to a murder inquiry, gardaí said the outcome of the postmortem will determine the nature of the investigation.
Gardaí are carrying out a detailed forensic examination of the scene at Spa Street which remains sealed off.
Local Councillor Raymond Cribbin(FF) lives a short distance from the house. “A lot of people are in a state of shock over it,” he remarked. “I’d see them, I’d often go by the house. They seemed to be nice fellas and it’s a tragedy that it took place.”
Gardaí are renewing their appeal for information and can be contacted at Portlaoise Garda Station on (057) 8674100.