Father beaten to death after answering door

A FATHER-OF-SIX was beaten to death after answering an early evening knock on the door of his home, detectives believe.

The body of the 49-year-old separated father, who lived alone, was discovered by his adult son at a flat in Dolphin House, Rialto, in Dublin’s south inner city.

A post mortem revealed he died from head injuries after being struck a number of times with a blunt object. Gardaí have recovered a number of possible murder weapons.

Detectives have not yet established a motive for the attack, which happened after 7pm on Wednesday. It is the first violent death in Dublin this year. The dead man, described as a good neighbour and an upstanding member of the community, was a mature student in Crumlin College, where he was studying computers and business.

Neighbour Fran McMahon described him as a quiet person and good company. He described how after discovering the body his son was in terrible state. He was outside the flat crying just before the emergency services arrived, said Mr McMahon.

The 24-year-old son, one of four boys and two girls, found the body at about 7.40pm. An ambulance was called and the man was taken to St James’ Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 8pm.

Superintendent Eddie Quirke, from Kevin Street Garda Station, has appealed for information, particularly anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the Dolphin’s Barn, Rialto area between 7pm and 8pm.

A forensic examination of the flat took place yesterday. A post mortem was carried out by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis. It was confirmed the man died of head injuries caused by a blunt instrument.

An examination revealed there was no sign of a break-in. However, sources close to the investigation cautioned against concluding that the murdered man knew his killer and invited the person into the flat. It was early evening and, not suspecting anything untoward, is likely to have been attacked after opening the door for the killer.

The dead man was originally from Rathfarnham but had lived in Rialto for a number of years. Apart from his six children, he also had grandchildren.