GARDAI in Clonmel have ruled out drugs as the motive for David Nugent's murder last Tuesday.
The results of a post mortem examination carried out by the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, have shown that Mr Nugent of Highfield Grove, Clonmel, died of nine stab wounds to his upper back. He was also hit on the head with a blunt instrument, possibly a hammer.
Mr Nugent's hands and legs were tied with the laces from his runners. Yesterday, gardai continued to clear the field at the back of Heywood Terrace where a man discovered his body at 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Supt Dick Burke said yesterday that while robbery remained a possible motive for the killing, he was satisfied that drugs were not involved. Last year, Mr Nugent pleaded guilty at Clonmel District Court to possessing cannabis resin worth Pounds 5. But a conviction was not recorded against him and he was allowed the Probation Act.
Gardai are searching for Mr Nugent's wallet as well as his runners. Although he was unemployed, he had more than Pounds 200 in his possession when the attack occurred. His killers took the money. Gardai are also looking for the murder weapon or weapons, including a knife. Supt Burke said gardai felt that more than one man was involved in the killing. Many anonymous calls had been received from members of the public concerning the brutal slaying, he said, and these had been "extremely useful".
Yesterday, at Highfield Grove, members of Mr Nugent's family asked to be allowed to grieve in peace. Mr Jackie Dwyer, a neighbour and one of the first people to reach the murder scene, said he had been appalled at what he had witnessed and added: "You wouldn't do it to a pig."
Supt Burke said several items found at the site were being tested at the Garda Forensic Laboratory. It is understood a knife was found near the scene but Garda sources believe it is not the murder weapon.
Yesterday, the search was extended to an area opposite Heywood Terrace. The removal of Mr Nugent's remains took place last night to St Oliver's Church near his home. He will be buried today after Requiem Mass.