Gardaí investigating the murder of a man in a quiet Co Limerick village believe he was killed after he tried to confront a burglar trying to break into his home.
The body of Liam O'Donovan (59) was found on Saturday at 7.30am on the footpath outside his home at St Senan's Terrace in Croom.
Mr O'Donovan, who was extremely popular in the local community, died after being subjected to a violent assault during which he was stabbed at least once in the chest.
It was initially believed Mr O'Donovan had confronted a person who was trying to steal his car but gardaí are now satisfied that the burglar was in fact trying to gain entry to his home. Mr O'Donovan, who was woken by the burglar, was killed after he tried to confront him.
The eldest of four, he is survived by his brother and two sisters. Mr O'Donovan founded the local soccer club, Croom United, and also used to play music at parties for the elderly. He worked for the last number of years for Roche Feeds in Limerick city and was a keen cyclist and gardener.
The cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Eddie Creighton, yesterday paid tribute to Mr O'Donovan.
"He was everybody's friend - he didn't have an enemy in the world," Mr Creighton said. "He was a most helpful person that you could approach about anything and if he could help you he would, that's the type of man he was."
Local councillor Richard Butler said the entire community in Croom was shocked by this "random" killing.
"Croom is a lovely quiet village in Co Limerick," he said. "This has nothing got to do with anything that's going on in Limerick city with feuding. It just seems to be a random murder and it is shocking for the community."
Funeral arrangements for Mr O'Donovan will not be confirmed until later in the week.