A 25-year-old victim of an assault in the early hours of last Sunday morning died yesterday in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
The State pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, will carry out a postmortem this morning on the remains of Errol Dunne from Grangebellew, Co Louth.
The father of one died after suffering a severe head injury during a melee involving up to 20 people near the Harbour Bar, Clogherhead, between 1am and 1.30am last Sunday.
Drogheda-based Garda Supt Gerry Smith confirmed the investigation into the assault had been “upgraded to murder and our inquiries are continuing”.
Gardaí have not yet made any arrests but are understood to be advancing well in their investigation.
It is believed a number of men may have assaulted Mr Dunne and he was left lying on the roadway. A passer-by raised the alarm and phoned an ambulance. Mr Dunne had been in intensive care in hospital since, with his family by his side.
Gardaí urge anyone with information to call Drogheda gardaí on 041-9874270, Clogherhead Garda station on 041-9822222, or the Garda confidential line 1800-666-111.