Death in Sligo now a murder inquiry

Gardaí in Co Sligo have officially launched a murder investigation into the death of Tom Ward (23), who died on Monday night after an assault.

Preliminary postmortem results have confirmed that Mr Ward, who was attacked outside his parents' home in Cranmore, Sligo, died from head injuries which were consistent with a blow from an axe.

An axe and a number of balaclavas were recovered from an abandoned car four miles from the scene near Carraroe, on the Sligo-Keadue road, on Monday evening.

It is understood that no blood traces were visible on the axe, but forensic tests are being carried out to determine whether it is the murder weapon.

Father Dominick Gillooly, parish priest of St Anne's, Sligo, said he visited the family and they were "devastated, in grief and in tears".

He said the entire community had been devastated by the killing.

"We have come to a point in society now where it seems every day a body is found and we hardly even bat an eyelid."

Investigating officers yesterday appealed for information about two confrontations which happened in the vicinity hours before Mr Ward was murdered.

Insp Gerry Connolly, who is heading the investigation, said gardaí were anxious for information about a verbal confrontation which happened on John Street, Sligo, at about 1am on Monday morning.

He also appealed for witnesses to a row between the occupants of a car and a van at a roundabout in Collooney at 9pm on Sunday evening.

Insp Connolly appealed for witnesses to come forward as gardaí were anxious to determine whether there was any link between the two rows and the murder of the young father.

Gardaí have dismissed reports of gunshots at the scene in the immediate aftermath of the killing. A number of neighbours reported hearing shots.

However, Insp Connolly said no such evidence had been found despite an extensive examination of the scene.

A Ford Focus car used by four masked men involved in the attack did reverse into a wall before making its getaway.

Gardaí are not commenting on reports that the murder was linked to a feud between two families.

Insp Connolly said he was keeping an open mind as to the motive.