Dead publican found with hands tied behind back

THE teacher whose body was found in the family pub he owned in Co Galway may have been killed during an attempted robbery.

That is one of the theories being considered by gardaí investigating the death of John Kenny, 56, in Oughterard on Sunday.

Detectives also believe the attacker may have been known to Mr Kenny, but declined to release details for operational reasons.

Mr Kenny, who was a teacher of German, history and religion at Presentation College in Athenry, only opened the pub on Saturday nights at this time of year.

On Saturday, he was in the pub, where he lived overhead, and the alarm was raised at about 6pm on Sunday as concerns mounted for his safety.

The grim discovery was made by his daughter, Gillian, when she went to the pub on Main Street in Oughterard after becoming concerned.

Ms Kenny found her father’s body on the rear ground floor. His hands were tied behind his back and a jacket was draped across his head.

There were scenes of anguish outside the pub at lunchtime yesterday when Mr Kenny’s body was removed to a hearse.

His wife, Kathleen, and daughter, Gillian, arrived at the premises, along with his two brothers Jim and Aidan, joined by other family members.

Mrs Kenny sprinkled some holy water on the coffin and a quiet prayer was said in a final farewell. The parish priest of Oughterard, Fr Jim Walsh, comforted Mrs Kenny and her daughter as the coffin was lifted to the hearse.

The deceased man’s brother, Aidan, said the family was trying to come to terms with the tragedy.

Prof Marie Cassidy, the state pathologist, conducted a preliminary examination of Mr Kenny’s body before it was removed to University Hospital Galway.

Gardaí believe there were between 30 and 40 people in Kenny’s pub on Saturday night and they wish to speak to all of them.

They also confirmed that there were no signs of a forced entry, but refused to say if anything had been taken from the pub.

Superintendent Noel Kelly, who appealed to anybody who was in the pub on Saturday to come forward, said they were awaiting the results of the postmortem before deciding what direction the investigation would take.

“All avenues of enquiry are being looked at and we are looking for anybody who was in the vicinity or on the premises on Saturday night/Sunday morning to contact us at Oughterard Garda Station on 091 557320.”

Last night, gardaí said the postmortem found Mr Kenny had died as the result of an assault.

The death has shocked people in Oughterard and the teachers and pupils at Presentation College in Athenry, where Mr Kenny worked.

“Our thoughts lie with his family, especially his wife, Kathleen, and his daughter, Gillian,” said a statement from the school.

“John was valued member of the teaching staff of Presentation College, Athenry for the past 19 years. He was held in high esteem by staff, students and parents alike.”

Publican Mike Flood of the Mayfly Inn, said Mr Kenny was a very popular man, who was well known and liked. “He was a lovely man, a good neighbour, a good friend and no one could say a bad word about him.”