Gardaí have released without charge three men they had been questioning in connection with the hit-and-run death of an 89- year-old retired farmer in Co Clare on Saturday night.
The three, all in their 20s, were arrested early on Sunday morning in the Killaloe area. Two of the suspects were taken to Killaloe Garda station for questioning while a third was interviewed by detectives at Shannon Garda station.
Pensioner John Cooney, Ballybran, Ogonelloe, died after being struck by a car at about 8.30pm on Saturday as he crossed the road outside his local church where he had just attended Mass.
Following over a day of questioning, one of the three suspects was released without charge late on Sunday night while the others were released yesterday. Gardaí had been in constant touch with the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday and the men were released after lunchtime. A Garda spokesman said their investigation was continuing and a file would be forwarded to the DPP.
Gardaí have renewed their appeal for witnesses and have asked anyone who was in the Ogonelloe area at about the time to contact them. They are anxious to establish the movements of the car that hit Mr Cooney.
A car fitting its description was later found burned out in a wooded area close to nearby Tuamgraney. Crime scene investigators were yesterday continuing their examination of that car. An incident room has also been set up at Killaloe Garda station.