Gardaí in Waterford last night began an investigation into the death of a man whose body was found in a derelict building near the city centre yesterday evening.
The body, identified by gardaí as that of a man in his 20s, was found in the building midway along Newgate Street, not far from the Cork Road in Waterford.
It is understood the body was found at about 5.30pm yesterday by two students when they entered the building, which was formerly used by art students at Waterford Institute of Technology.
They notified gardaí who cordoned off the scene.
It is understood the body may have lain undiscovered for 24 hours.
Forensic experts from the Garda Technical Bureau were on the scene this morning.
The body the body was removed by hearse to Waterford Regional Hospital where are postmortem is being held today.
It is understood gardaí found blood at the scene but one source pointed out the man may have suffered injuries in a fall from the roof and was not necessarily the victim of an assault.
It is also understood the building had been frequented in recent times by street drinkers. Gardaí were last night trying to establish whether the man was a regular at the building, which faces down on to New Street.
Gardaí were also trying to speak to associates and friends of the dead man in a bid to establish his last known movements.
An incident room has been set up at Waterford Garda station and anyone with information is asked to contact it on 051-305300.
