Gardaí are said to be following a definite line of inquiry following the suspicious death of a man in the south Tipperary village of Mullinahone.
Haulage contractor Mr Seán ( Jack) Brett, Ballydonnell, Mullinahone, was found in a laneway in the village between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. yesterday.
An ambulance was called, and less than an hour later Mr Brett was pronounced dead on arrival at Cashel District Hospital. Later, the remains were transferred from Waterford Regional Hospital to the regional morgue.
Yesterday afternoon, a post-mortem examination was carried out by the Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy. She had earlier visited Brett's Lane in Mullinahone, where the body was found.
It was first thought that Mr Brett might have suffered a heart attack during an altercation.
Gardaí are not looking for any witnesses in connection with the matter and are remaining tight-lipped about what kind of inquiry they intend to pursue.
Supt Dick Burke, of Clonmel Garda station, said that gardaí were following a certain line of inquiry.
Mr Brett had a grown-up family and had been separated from his wife for a number of years.
He was the owner of a successful haulage business which specialised in moving heavy machinery.
The company, Anner Transport, Mullinahone, sponsored the local ladies' Gaelic football team.
Mr Brett was a keen supporter of the local Camphill Community, which looks after handicapped adults and children in a family-type environment in a residential home just across the border in Co Kilkenny.