Gardaí in Co Kerry are examining security camera footage from Tralee town centre in the hope of establishing who assaulted a 50-year-old homeless man, who later died in hospital from his injuries.
Eddie Joe Clancy, a native of Lohercannon near Strand Road in the town, who had been living in hostel accommodation in recent times, was found with serious head injures and lying in a pool of blood on Bridge Street in Tralee at about 2am yesterday.
He was brought to Kerry General Hospital but died within an hour from his injuries. Gardaí under Supt Pat Sullivan of Tralee requested the services of the State Pathologist's office.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a post-mortem examination which confirmed that Mr Clancy had died a violent death.
Gardaí declined to release precise details of the cause of his death for operational reasons.
However The Irish Times understands that Mr Clancy suffered severe head injuries, including fractures to the skull which suggested that he was beaten or kicked around the head in a sustained attack by one or more assailants.
It is understood Mr Clancy had earlier been involved in an altercation outside a nightclub in the town.
Gardaí are investigating whether the assault which led to his death was in anyway connected with that incident.
Gardaí said they were keeping an open mind on the assault and Supt Sullivan appealed to anyone who may have seen anything in the Bridge Street area of Tralee between 1.30am and 2am to contact the special incident room established at Tralee Garda station on 066-712 2022.
"We cannot say where the deceased was prior to this incident taking place," Supt Sullivan said, "but we would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of the Bridge Street and Dominic Street area between 1.30am and 2am to come forward and contact us."
