Appeal for help over pensioner’s murder

GARDAÍ, investigating the brutal murder of a pensioner in his home in Cork almost a year ago, yesterday renewed their appeal for help yesterday after an inquest.

Christopher “Gussie” Hornibrook, 73, died from a combination of blunt force trauma to the chest and neck — restraint asphyxia — in association with severe heart disease, Cork Coroner’s Court was told.

The pensioner was found with his hands and legs tied in a downstairs room of his terraced house at Templeacre Avenue, Gurranebraher, on Cork’s northside, on November 6 last.

A huge Garda investigation was launched which included widespread public appeals for witnesses, and a slot on Crimeline featuring Mr Hornibrook’s last known movements.

However, to date, no one has been charged with the murder.

The inquest into his death was opened yesterday where evidence of identification and cause of death was heard.

Garda Alan Johnson told Cork City Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane that he found the body at the scene. He said Mr Hornibrook’s older brother, Robert, identified the body to him.

Assistant State pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, conducted a postmortem and said death was due to a combination of blunt force trauma to the chest and neck, or restraint asphyxia, in association with severe heart disease.

Inspector Ger O’Mahony told Dr Cullinane that gardaí are still investigating the matter and that criminal proceedings are being contemplated.

He applied for an adjournment of the inquest pending the outcome of the Garda investigation.

Dr Cullinane agreed to adjourn the proceedings and she put the matter back for mention in early March.

Robert Hornibrook’s children, John and Sarah, made an emotional appeal on Christmas Eve last to a man who had already contacted gardaí to come forward again.

The anonymous caller telephoned gardaí investigating the killing and spoke to Gda Derek Mulcahy on November 7 last. However, that man has yet to come forward. Gardaí believe he has valuable information.

Superintendent Con Cadogan, who is leading the investigation, yesterday urged that man and anyone who may have information in relation to the case, to contact them.

The incident room at Gurranabraher Garda Station can be contacted on 021-4946209.