Gardai in Co Longford have begun a murder investigation following the death of a publican who was found with a wound to his chest on his premises last night in Clondra, a small village close to the River Shannon.
A Garda spokesman confirmed later last night that a man was helping with their inquiries at Longford Garda station.
The body of the publican, who was about 70 years of age and lived alone in a house attached to the pub, was discovered at about 8.30 p.m. on the floor of the bar. He was pronounced dead shortly afterwards by a doctor.
The dead man was named locally as Mr Tom Croghan. He was single.
The Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Maire Cassidy, is due to visit the scene later today.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted at St Joseph's Hospital in Longford town.
The Garda spokesman said last night that the scene was being preserved pending the arrival of members of the Garda Technical Bureau, who are due to join the investigation, which is being headed by Supt Denis Cullinane.
It is understood that the investigating gardai are examining the possibility that robbery may have been a motive.
Clondra is six miles from Longford town on the main road to Strokestown, Co Roscommon, and is a popular angling location on the Shannon. Mr Croghan's pub is the smallest of three in the village.
