Man arrested over Cork murder

A man has been arrested by gardaí investigating the murder of taxi driver Michael Healy in Cork.

A man has been arrested by gardaí investigating the murder of taxi driver Michael Healy in Cork.

The 38-year-old was arrested in the city this evening. He is being detained in Mayfield Garda station under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984.

A murder investigation was launched last night after the body of Mr Healy, a 62-year-old father of two, was found in a flat on the northside of the city. A postmortem revealed he died as a result of a head injury.

At a Garda briefing today, Supt Tom Myers said gardaí had two unconfirmed sightings of Mr Healy at 10.30am last Friday and 8.45pm on Saturday which they are seeking to confirm.

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They are anxious to speak to anyone who may have seen his back Toyota Avensis taxi – registration 03C 4073 – at any stage over the weekend or later.

Mr Healy was discovered by his brother at about 9.30am yesterday morning when he called to Mr Healy’s top storey flat at Rocksprings Terrace at St Luke’s Cross on the northside of Cork.

It is understood that Mr Healy’s family had became concerned when they had not heard from him since Saturday. His brother called to the flat yesterday morning to check on him and found his clothed body on the bathroom floor.

Gardaí cordoned off the scene and requested the services of the State Pathologist’s office.

Following a preliminary examination of Mr Healy's body by Dr Marie Cassidy, gardaí confirmed that they were treating the death as suspicious.

Garda sources said there was no sign of a forced entry to Mr Healy’s flat in the three storey building. Detectives are examining the possibility that he may have been assaulted by somebody he knew or somebody he invited back to the flat.

Gardaí were also examining the possibility that Mr Healy may have not locked the door to his flat and that an intruder may have gained entry. It appeared there was no sign of a disturbance in the flat nor did it appear that anything had been taken.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times