Gardaí in Castlebar, Co Mayo, have begun a murder investigation following the death of a young security man in an incident near his home early yesterday morning.
Mr Liam McDonnell, a married man in his 30s, was found with serious head injuries by gardaí in the garden of a house when they answered a 999 call just after 4 a.m.
The father of two was rushed by ambulance to Mayo General Hospital, where he died a short time later.
A second man at the scene who was also injured was removed by ambulance to Mayo General Hospital and later transferred to Merlin Park Hospital in Galway.
There were reports of a disturbance in the estate before the emergency call was made to gardaí.
Mr McDonnell was found in the garden of an unoccupied house on Rossmore estate, several hundred yards from his home, where he lived with his wife, Helen, and children.
Chief Supt John Carey, head of the Mayo Garda Division, said gardaí were following a "definite line of inquiry".
It is understood Mr McDonnell worked as a bouncer in a local pub/restaurant, as well as with a number of other firms in the area.
His wife and children were being comforted by relatives, friends and neighbours yesterday.
A "scene of crime tent" was erected yesterday on the small lawn where the injured Mr McDonnell was found, and gardaí maintained a continuous presence to ensure the site was not interfered with.
Neighbours on Rossmore estate, where the McDonnell family lives, were shocked to hear of the death when they awoke yesterday.
One, who did not wish to be named, said: "Rossmore is a new estate and there never has been any problems up to now.
"Mostly people with young families live there. Nobody ever dreamt of anything like this happening."
Colleagues of the dead man in Cox's restaurant and bar on Tucker Street, Castlebar, spoke of Mr McDonnell in glowing terms.
"He was good to work with, a very nice fellow," said Mr Kevin Cox.
"We are all devastated by what happened."
A post-mortem was being carried out last night.
Gardaí set up a special incident room in the wake of the death and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
The numbers are: (094) 9038270 or (094) 9022222.