The funeral of a 32-year-old father of five who died in hospital after he was found collapsed with serious head injuries in Kildysart, Co Clare, last week has been postponed because an independent autopsy has been sought by the solicitor for three men questioned about the death.
The funeral of Vincent Hehir, originally from Glencanauane, Kildysart, Co Clare, was due to take place yesterday in Kildysart.
However, late on Friday night gardaí were informed that the legal representatives for the three men questioned in connection with the death have sought a second postmortem by an independent pathologist.
The men, aged 33, 23 and 21 were arrested early last Tuesday and questioned for several hours over the incident. All three were released without charge later that evening.
A detailed forensic examination of the scene was carried out on Monday morning and gardaí have already confirmed that although their investigation is continuing, a file will be prepared for the DPP.
The victim was found unconscious with serious head injuries outside a public house at Main Street, Kildysart, at about 11.45pm on September 3rd. Gardaí say he sustained a number of blows in a fracas involving as many as five people. One of those blows knocked the victim to the ground. It is believed he was then kicked about the body while lying on the footpath.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed yesterday there has been a delay with releasing Mr Hehir's remains to his family because an independent postmortem has been requested.
"Although no charges have been preferred in this case, this is an option available to defence teams and one which is being increasingly taken up." he said.
He added: "The original postmortem from our perspective is now complete and the direction of our investigation will be determined by the results of that postmortem when they become available."
The second examination is not now expected to take place until tomorrow at the earliest. Mr Hehir's funeral could now be delayed until the end of the week.
Mr Hehir lay gravely injured on a life support machine in the ICU at Ennis General Hospital until he died shortly after 5pm last Wednesday. The victim's wife Maireád arrived in Ireland to be at his bedside on Monday afternoon. The couple have five children ranging in ages from 2 months to 9 years. Mr Hehir had been living in England for several years where he worked as a pub manager and had returned home last weekend to visit his family.
Gardaí say they are still seeking witnesses to the attack and have set up an incident room at Kilrush Garda station. They say they still want to speak to anybody who might have seen the incident and believe that a number of witnesses have yet to come forward. A number of people have already been interviewed.