GARDAÍ IN Co Limerick are treating as suspicious the death of a 92-year-old man who was discovered dead at his home on Friday morning.
Neighbours raised the alarm after finding the body of James Mulqueen at his cottage in Ardagh near Newcastle West.
It was initially thought that he died of natural causes but, following the results of a post- mortem examination, gardaí are now treating his death as suspicious.
Askeaton Supt Joseph Roe said that for operational reasons he could not comment on the postmortem findings but said a major investigation had been launched.
“We are treating the circumstances of his death as suspicious at the moment,” he said. “There was no sign of a forced entry to the house but following the post- mortem results a full investigation has been launched.”
Mr Mulqueen’s two-bedroom cottage was yesterday sealed off as gardaí carried out a forensic examination.
A former employee of the Office of Public Works, Mr Mulqueen spent many years working in England before moving back to Ireland following the death of his brother Tom in 1971. He moved into the old family home at Balymackeery, Kilcolman, in Ardagh and took up a job with the Office of Public Works.
Described locally as “an independent-minded man”, Mr Mulqueen was well known in the area and despite his age made regular trips to nearby Newcastle West to pick up his pension and do some shopping.
He never married and had only distant relatives but was said to have been close to his neighbours in Ardagh who helped him get out and about.
Supt Roe last night moved to reassure other pensioners in Co Limerick following the death. “There is no evidence at all to suggest that other pensioners in the area need to worry,” he said.
But local councillor Michael Collins said the nature of Mr Mulqueen’s death was bound to create anxiety locally. “It is sad that there is fear there for elderly people,” he said.
An incident room has been set up at Rathkeale Garda station, and an appeal has been launched to find people who were in the area between 10am on Thursday and 10am on Friday last.
No arrests have yet been made and anyone with information is asked to contact Askeaton Garda station on 061-601630.
Alternatively, the incident room can be contacted at Rathkeale Garda station on 069-63214.