Gardaí eager to trace murdered man’s footsteps

GARDAÍ probing the murder of a 60 year-old stone mason at his flat in Waterford city centre are particularly anxious to speak to anyone who might have seen the man between March 7 and 13.

Superintendent Dave Sheahan, who is leading the investigation, said the team probing the violent death are particularly anxious to trace anyone who might have come into contact with the deceased in the week or two before St Patrick’s Weekend.

“We have not had any new information to date on Mr Purcell’s last movements,” he said.

“The last reported siting of him was on Tuesday, March 7, when he collected a library book from The County Library at Lady Lane in the city.

“We believe the dates from then up to March 13 could be critical and we would appeal to anyone who saw him on those dates to come forward.”

The 60 year-old was found dead with wounds to the neck in a flat in a converted house at 14 Henrietta Street in Waterford late on Friday evening.

The grim find was made by a friend who had not seen him in three weeks, Superintendent Sheahan said.

The deceased was about 5ft 9” in height, of slight build, had a moustache and was balding. No funeral arrangements have yet been confirmed. Mr Purcell, who was single, was originally from Cuffsgrange, a village on the Clonmel approach to Kilkenny.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Waterford Gardaí at 051 305335.