A GARDA forensic team continued yesterday to search the cottage of Co Limerick pensioner James Mulqueen (92), whose body was discovered at his home at Kilcolman, Ardagh, last Friday morning.
His death is being treated as suspicious, based on the results of a postmortem.
“We are doing nothing different now that we wouldn’t be doing in a murder case,” said Supt Joe Roe of Askeaton. “This is a full investigation and we are examining every possible avenue of inquiry.”
The elderly man was discovered dead by neighbours when they called to check on him at his rural Ballymackeery home at about 11am on Friday. There were no signs of an attack and it was initially thought he died of natural causes.
However, following the postmortem, conducted at the Midwestern Regional Hospital, gardaí said his death was being treated as suspicious.
There were also no signs of forced entry at the two-bedroom cottage, where Mr Mulqueen lived alone.
Supt Roe said: “There is no evidence to suggest that any item was taken or money stolen.”
One theory being investigated is that Mr Mulqueen opened the door to someone, or left the door unlocked, allowing an intruder to gain entry.
Gardaí yesterday conducted door-to-door inquiries in the tiny village of Kilcolman. An incident room has been set up at Rathkeale Garda station.