GARDAÍ IN south Galway have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of the body of a retired farmer at his home near Ardrahan.
Postmortem results have indicated that widower and father of three Finbar Fahy suffered head injuries as a result of a blunt-force trauma. His body was found by a family member in the living room of his house at Ballinduff, on the N18 road between Ardrahan and Gort, at 8am on Wednesday morning.
Gardaí were called and the area was sealed off for examination, but it had been initially believed that he died as a result of an accident.
A postmortem on Mr Fahy’s body was carried out yesterday by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis at University College Hospital, Galway.
As a result of the findings, the investigation had been upgraded to murder, Supt John Gilligan of the Garda press office said last night. The investigation is being directed by Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney, head of the western division, with Supt Seán Healy of Gort Garda station.
At a briefing in Gort last night, gardaí said there was no sign of forced entry to Mr Fahy’s two-storey home, and no indications as yet that anything had been taken from the house. No weapon had been found.
The Garda forensic bureau has been examining Mr Fahy’s home and surroundings, which are still sealed off, and extensive searches are being carried out by the Garda Divisional Search Team in the general area. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses who may have noticed anything unusual in the area between Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Gardaí said the house was very distinctive on the Gort-Ardrahan road, as it had a lighted statue of the Blessed Virgin over the front door. It is opposite the entrance to Tulira Castle.
Fr Richie Higgins, parish priest of Ardrahan, said he had last seen Mr Fahy on Tuesday when he visited his late wife’s grave at Labane cemetery. Ciss (Celia) Fahy died 12 years ago this month aged 65.
“He was a very active 78-year-old and I saw him at Mass on Saturday night last,” Fr Higgins said. “You always knew he was at Mass because he had his special place in the church. He would be down at the cemetery sometimes several times a day.
“It is shocking to think that something like this could happen here. Everyone is stunned.
“He cycled everywhere – I never saw him drive a car, but he would have driven a tractor,” Fr Higgins said. “His sons worked the farm after his retirement, and he used to have great old craic with the people in the community.”
Galway county councillor Michael Fahy also described him as a great character and a good neighbour, and said he was a man who “minded his own business and did his own work”.
He extended sympathies to the family.
Supt Gilligan said passersby may have seen something unusual over the last few days.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or out of the ordinary in the area over the last few days to contact us, no matter how insignificant they might think the information is,” Supt Gilligan said.
An incident room has been established at Gort Garda station (Tel: 091-636432) and gardaí can also be contacted on the Garda confidential line at 1800-666111.