Postmortem details withheld in murder probe

AS a full-scale murder hunt gets underway in Cork city, gardaí have refused to divulge the details of the postmortem examination on the body of a pensioner whose hands were bound.

Christy ‘Gussy’ Hornibrook, whose body was discovered in the sitting room of his rundown Gurranabraher home at lunchtime on Tuesday, was described by investigating gardaí as “a very vulnerable” member of the local community.

“There were no significant injuries on the body,” gardaí have said, ruling out any question of the man dying from injuries received in either a stabbing or an assault with a weapon.

The elderly bachelor was well known and well liked by the community and, according to Supertintendent Con Cadogan, the officer heading the investigation, exercised an “open door policy”, never bothering to lock up when he went walking around the neighbourhood or down to the chip shop.

While gardaí had on a number of occasions visited Mr Hornibrook whenever neighbours reported concerns for his well-being, the motive for his murder remains a mystery.

Supt Cadogan could not be drawn on whether or not cash or personal items were taken from the scene of the murder.

The house remained sealed off as further forensic and technical examinations were still underway, but today those investigating the murder might be in a better position to reveal further details about Gussy Hornibrook’s final moments, Supt Cadogan said.

During a press briefing last evening, the garda spokesman refused to confirm that the man’s hands had been tied behind his back as earlier, unconfirmed reports suggested.

Supt Cadogan said he was not at liberty to go into the finer detail of the crime.

Gardaí had decided “not to specify the cause of death, as it may prejudice aspects of the case at a later stage”.

Yesterday, gardaí called to more than 200 homes in the area in a bid to piece together Mr Hornibrook’s last movements.

The body of Mr Hornibrook was discovered by his brother, Bobby, at his home on Templeacre Avenue shortly after 12.30pm on Tuesday.

Last night, gardaí renewed their appeal to anyone who was in the Templeacre Avenue area between 9.15pm on Monday and 12.30pm on Tuesday to contact them.