Journalist found dead after assault

Gardaí are considering launching a murder investigation after a respected journalist died from injuries received in Dublin city centre yesterday morning.

Former Irish Independent reporter Eugene Moloney was found collapsed in the Camden Street area of the city just after 4.30am on Sunday.

He is believed to have died after being struck once during a verbal row with at least one other man, before falling heavily onto the pavement.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed that, after an autopsy on Mr Moloney, who is believed to be in his late 40s, investigating officers are considering upgrading the “suspicious death” to a murder.

A reporter from the mid-1980s to 2007, when he left under a redundancy scheme, Mr Moloney was found seriously injured in Camden St area of Dublin city centre popular with late night revellers just after 4.30am yesterday.

A Garda source said it appeared he had been injured during an altercation, but declined to provide further information.

After receiving emergency medical attention at the scene, he was rushed by ambulance to St James’ Hospital.

However, despite the best efforts of medics, Mr Moloney was pronounced dead a short time later.

During his long career, Mr Moloney wrote on a range of issues including the peace process in the North and music, which was one of his personal passions.

He was described by former colleagues as one of the nicest people in journalism, and someone who will be deeply missed by those who knew him.

The scene of the suspected assault at the junction of Camden St and Pleasants St was sealed off throughout yesterday.

The exact location where the man was found was covered over by a tent to preserve the scene for a technical examination.

The incident occurred directly outside the front door of Devitt’s pub, also known as the Cusack Stand, on Camden St which could only be accessed by a side entrance yesterday.

Gardaí have issued an appeal for anyone who was in the Camden St area between 3.45am and 4.30am yesterday to contact Kevin Street Garda Station immediately on 01 666 9400.