Gardaí in Galway have named the man who died following a suspected assault in the city centre area in the early hours of yesterday morning.
He was Mr Coleman Barrett (36), Rahoon Road, Galway.
The assistant State pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, was due to carry out a post-mortem on his body yesterday evening at University College Hospital, Galway (UCHG), after she had travelled from Waterford.
Gardaí said initial examinations showed Mr Barrett's injuries were consistent with a serious assault but would not comment on whether a weapon was involved.
Mr Barrett died at UCHG early yesterday after he was taken there by ambulance from the vicinity of St Patrick's Church in Forster Street.
Supt Donal Ó Cualain, who is leading the investigation, said that gardaí had received a phone call at about 2.30 a.m. to say that a man was lying in the grounds of the church with serious head injuries.
The injured man was rushed to UCHG and was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
The area extending from Rabbitt's bar in Forster Street to St Patrick's Church was sealed off for forensic examination by Garda technical experts.
House-to-house inquiries were being conducted in the Forster Street area, which extends from Eyre Square to College Road.
Gardaí were also attempting to retrace Mr Barrett's route after he was assaulted.
It is understood that Mr Barrett had been seen in Eyre Square shortly before midnight. Forster Street is linked to Prospect Hill by St Patrick's Avenue, which runs up alongside St Patrick's Church. Several assaults have taken place in the avenue before.
Supt Ó Cualain appealed to anyone who might have witnessed any disturbance from midnight on in the area to assist with the investigation.
An incident room has been set up at Mill Street Garda station. Gardaí are anxious to speak to witnesses. The telephone numbers to call are: (091) 538047 and (091) 538048.