House-to-house inquiries were under way in the Meenacross and Maghery areas of west Donegal last night following the murder of local man Mr Shaun Duffy (36), who was found dead at his home on Saturday.
Gardaí confirmed last night they have evidence that a crossbow was used in the murder of Mr Duffy.
The results of the post-mortem revealed that Mr Duffy received several wounds to his head and other parts of his body.
At a press briefing in Dungloe yesterday, Chief Supt Noel White would not confirm that an axe was used in the killing.
"No axe has been found at the scene as of yet," said Supt White.
Gardaí are not revealing full details of the post-mortem examination for operational reasons.
A team of over 40 gardaí and detectives are involved in the hunt led by Supt White.
The team assembled at the Ostán na Rosann Hotel in Dungloe, about three miles from the murder scene, early yesterday for a briefing.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Catherine Clancy also attended the briefing.
Inquiries are being centred around the area of the murder and gardaí are also trying to trace people who were in the Strand Bar at nearby Maghery on the night prior to the murder.
Mr Duffy had socialised in the pub that night before going to his mother's home near where he lived.
The pub owners and staff were last night refusing to speak to reporters about the incident.
The location of the pub is about four miles from Dungloe and gardaí have also appealed to taxi-drivers who would have dropped off or picked up people from the pub to contact them.
Anyone driving along the roads in the Meenacross and Maghery areas in the early hours of Saturday are also of interest to gardaí.
Gardaí were yesterday evening cutting bushes around the murder scene and searching overgrowth and drains, while technical officers continued a detailed inspection of the house that may take up to a week to complete.
Chief Supt White said gardaí are not yet following any definite line of inquiry.
He said they are currently building a profile of Mr Duffy's last movements.
He renewed his appeal for people in the area to contact the gardaí if they have any information about the brutal murder. Locals yesterday offered prayers in the nearby St Patrick's Church that is just over 100 yards from Mr Duffy's home.
Close family members and friends were comforting the dead man's family.
The parish priest, Father Séamus Meehan, said the community was shocked and extended his sympathy to the family.
"I have visited them and they are trying to come to terms with what has happened.
"It's very shocking for them and for the wider community and our prayers are with them," said Father Meehan.