GARDAI believe a 22-year-old man murdered in Clonmel may have been lured to his death on the promise of drugs, and was then robbed and stabbed to death.
Mr David Nugent, from Highfield Grove in Clonmel was carrying at least £200 in cash and may have been carrying up to £700, according to Garda sources. When his body was found in the grounds of St Michael's Psychiatric Hospital at lunchtime on Tuesday his pockets had been emptied.
Mr Nugent's killers tied his hands behind his back with the laces of his white runners. His feet were also tied. He was stabbed at least five times in the back and dragged 60 feet across the field to a high wall, where his body was found face down in thick undergrowth.
A single bouquet of red carnations was placed beside the murder scene yesterday.
The State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, arrived at the scene at midnight on Tuesday and carried out a post-mortem yesterday afternoon.
Mr Nugent had spent Monday evening with friends "hanging about" the estate where he lived with his father Cyril, mother Noleen and younger brother Cyril. He left them at around 11 p.m. saying he had to meet someone but promised to be back within the hour to watch a video with his friends. He never returned.
Mr Nugent appeared in court last year after being arrested with £5 worth of cannabis in a flat in the town. He received the Probation Act. Chief Supt Liam Harris said gardai were "pretty certain" the motive was robbery, but he did not rule out a drugs link.
Yesterday his father Cyril described him as a "nice, quiet, ordinary lad". His family were shattered by his death, he said.
Mr Nugent, a rent collector for the local council, was in hospital receiving treatment for cancer when his son was killed. He was due to have an operation today, but was discharged so he could be with his family. His eldest son Fergal flew back from England yesterday.
Chief Supt Harris described the killing as vicious. "No stone will be left unturned, no effort will be spared in finding those responsible for the murder and bringing them to justice," he said.
A Garda search unit and a team of forensic experts combed the scene throughout yesterday. Gardai also conducted house-to-house searches. There are some 50 gardai working on the murder investigation.
Gardai last night appealed for anyone with information about the murder to come forward. They are particularly anxious to speak to anyone who saw Mr Nugent in the Heywood Road, Western Park, Garrymore and Elm Park areas. Gardai are still looking for the "sharp instrument" which they believe was used in the killing. Mr Nugent's running shoes are also missing.