Gardai forensics examine Killybegs house as probe continues into death of man (60s)
The body of the man, named locally as Eddie Friel, who was aged in his 60s, was found at Harbour View Drive at around 12.20pm on Sunday and the house remains sealed off as gardai investigate the sudden death
Detectives are continuing their investigations into the sudden death of a man in Killybegs on Sunday.
The body of the man, named locally as Eddie Friel, who was aged in his 60s, was found at Harbour View Drive at around 12.20pm.
The house, in the usually-quiet estate less than one kilometre from the centre of the south Donegal fishing port, was sealed off by gardai.
Mr Friel lived alone in the estate and gardai began door-to-door enquiries on Sunday afternoon following the discovery of his body.
While the death is being treated as suspicious and there have been reports that the man met a violent death, further examinations - including a post-mortem - will dictate the next steps.
There have been no arrests made yet in the investigation.
Detectives from Ballyshannon Garda Station, the district headquarters, are leading the probe into the sudden death of Mr Friel, which has plunged the area into shock.
“It’s certainly not the norm in Killybegs,” said Killybegs-based County Councillor Niamh Kennedy, the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.
A Garda forensics team moved into the property just before 10pm on Sunday and worked on into the night.
The scene had been preserved to enable a technical examination to take place and the body remained at the scene.
“It’s like something off the tv and definitely not like something we expect to see in Killybegs,” one neighbour said.
Another resident said: “It’s just heartbreaking, God love the poor man. It’s such a shock”
The coroner for County Donegal, Dr Denis McCauley, was notified of the death and the results of a post-mortem examination, expected to be carried out on Monday by the State Pathologist, will determine the course of the investigation.
The alarm was raised early on Sunday afternoon and gardai and emergency services responded to a report of man found unresponsive at a residence.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and those with information to come forward.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 9858530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”