Gardaí in Waterford are appealing for members of the public to help them with a murder investigation following the discovery of a man's body at his apartment in the city on Friday.
James Purcell (60) was found at apartment 1, in 14 Henrietta Street, Waterford, at approximately 6pm on Friday, after a friend raised the alarm when she had not been able to contact him for a number of days.
Gardaí confirmed that Mr Purcell had been dead for some time.
A single unemployed man, Mr Purcell who was from Cuffesgrange in Co Kilkenny, is understood to have been living alone at the apartment.
Gardaí in Waterford carried out a preliminary examination and cordoned off the scene pending the arrival of the Garda Technical Bureau after it was established that the man had died in suspicious circumstances. It is understood that a weapon was found at the scene.
State Pathologist, Prof Marie Cassidy arrived shortly before 4pm on Saturday. The deceased was removed to Waterford Regional Hospital where a post- mortem was carried out on Saturday evening.
Gardaí launched a murder investigation after the post- mortem revealed that Mr Purcell died from trauma injury to the neck and throat area.
Mr Purcell was last seen on March 7th, after he had collected a library book from the Municipal Library in Lady Lane.
Supt David Sheehan of Waterford Garda station said they are appealing for anyone who saw or had contact with Mr Purcell on, or prior to March 7th, to contact them immediately.
Mr Purcell was described as being approximately 1.75m (5ft 9 in) in height, of slim build with a moustache. Mr Purcell, a stone mason by trade, had travelled the world spending a period of time in Australia. He was described as a jovial but private man. He returned to Ireland approximately 20 years ago, and is understood to have been residing in Waterford for the past two years.
Gardaí were carrying out door-to-door inquiries yesterday. They could not confirm whether the deceased was known to them or had received death threats before his death.
Supt Sheehan appealed for anyone with information to contact them at 051 305335 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
"Our immediate appeal is for anyone who would have known Mr Purcell from Henrietta Street, Olaf Street and Cathedral Place to come forward," said Supt Sheehan.
Mr Purcell had been living at the men's hostel in Lady Lane, before moving to Henrietta Street. The address where the man was found is in close proximity to Olaf Street, where a man was stabbed in the throat in January. The man survived following surgery. Three men and a woman were arrested in connection with the incident.