Gardaí seek 40 people in probe

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a recluse pensioner have created a wall of 40 photographs of people they want to eliminate from their inquiry.

Superintendent Con Cadogan, who is leading the investigation, said these people were in a shop in Cork when Christy “Gussy” Hornibrook, 74, was last seen alive, but as yet haven’t been identified.

Gardaí believe Mr Hornibrook may have been followed from the shop by his killer.

His body was discovered at his home at 21 Templeacre Avenue, Gurranabraher, on November 5 last by his older brother, Bobby, at around 12.30pm.

Gussy, who was a frail man, had been tied up.

“There were around 120 people who went into Singleton’s Centra shop on Gurranabraher the time Gussy was last seen. He was in and around the shop between 9pm and 9.10pm the night before his body was discovered. We have identified 80 of those people and we must identify the rest,” Supt Cadogan said.

He urged anybody who was in the shop that night who hadn’t yet contacted the gardaí to come to Gurranabraher Garda Station so they could be eliminated from the investigation.

Gardaí have also appealed for information about a distinctive tie which was found in Gussy’s house.

“It was an Italian Porfumo design and ceased to be manufactured in 2003. Less than 20 ties of this type were sold in Cork,” Supt Cadogan said.