Murder hunt launched for badly beaten man's killers

GARDAÍ have launched a murder investigation after the badly beaten body of a 27-year-old man was found in the grounds of a castle.

The body of Derek O’Connell was spotted inside a 10ft high perimeter security fence which surrounds Blackrock Castle in Cork by girls out walking a dog at 6.50pm on Sunday. The disused castle is a former restaurant, which was purchased last April by Cork City Council.

Mr O’Connell, originally from 3 Ascension Heights, Knocknaheeny, was a petty criminal who was known to gardaí. Detectives believe his body may have been at the scene for up to 24 hours.