Gardaí investigating the murder of Englishman Tommy Thompson believe he was assaulted in a row over money before dying of asphyxiation as he was brought by his killers to the spot where he was buried in a shallow grave, writes Conor Lally, Crime Correspondent.
Remains found buried just off the Portlaoise to Stradbally road in Co Laois on Wednesday have been identified as the 59-year-old plastering contractor originally from the north of England.
A foreign national arrested after the remains were discovered has been released and a file on the killing is being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Members of Mr Thompson's family were contacted by gardaí on Wednesday. His wife, Sandra, and other family members yesterday laid a cross at the site where his remains were found. Ms Thompson said they were "devastated".
"We can't believe that somebody could have left him here for nine months. There was always a glimmer of hope even though we knew deep in our hearts he had not run off somewhere." Mr Thompson had been living in Portlaoise for about six years and had worked in the midlands and in Dublin in the construction industry. He was last seen at his home on April 21st on Borris Road, Portlaoise.
He was in regular contact with his wife and children in England. When he failed to contact them for a number of days they contacted gardaí.
On Wednesday afternoon gardaí found the missing man's remains buried in a shallow grave just off the road. It was at that point that the man released yesterday was arrested.
The Garda investigation is being led by Supt Philip Lyons of Portlaoise Garda station.
The Irish Times understands a postmortem revealed injuries to Mr Thompson's head consistent with an assault before he died. Gardaí are working on the theory that he was then tied up and taken in a wheelie bin - in which he smothered - to the spot where he was buried.
Gardaí are still trying to trace Mr Thompson's blue Renault van, registration 06 LS 2453. It has not been seen since April.