Postmortem finds publican was beaten to death

MURDER squad detectives have been called in to investigate the death of publican Matt Farrell after a postmortem confirmed he lost his life as a direct result of a series of blows across his head during a late-night attack at his home.

Mr Farrell, who owned The Gaelic Bar in the village of Daingean, Co Offaly, was found by his son tied up on the floor of the family home attached to the pub shortly before 7.30am on Wednesday.

In the immediate aftermath of his body being found, it had been feared that Mr Farrell may have suffered a heart attack during or after the time he was attacked by burglars at his home.