Gardaí attempt to trace victim’s last movements

Gardaí are trying to trace the final movements of 67-year-old Eugene Gillespie before he was “brutally murdered” by burglars at his home in Sligo town.

Detectives want to identify anyone with whom the highly popular man had been in contact. They also want to identify anyone who might have been seen following him, or acting suspiciously, near his house on Old Market St.

The move comes as businesspeople and friends move to organise a reward for information leading to the conviction of the burglars. Mr Gillespie was tied up and badly beaten by an intruder, or intruders, sometime after 9pm on Wednesday and left for dead for up to two days. It is understood he suffered head injuries, including a broken jaw.

His body was discovered on Friday night after concerned family members alerted gardaí. He was still alive and taken to Sligo Hospital, where he died on Saturday.

Gardaí yesterday said Mr Gillespie was “brutally murdered” and are concentrating on the 48-hour period for witnesses. “We are aware that Mr Gillespie was seen at 9pm on Wednesday 19th,” said Superintendent Mary Murray, who is leading the investigation.

Detectives were still trying to discover if anything was taken from the terraced house which has an alleyway down the side. Mr Gillespie kept vintage cars, including a Jaguar and Morris in pristine condition, at the back of his home.

Supt Murray said they had gathered extensive CCTV footage and said the street, close to Sligo Garda Station, was regularly frequented.

People with information can contact Sligo Garda Station on 071-9157000 or the Garda Confidential Telephone Line on 1800 666 111.

Neighbour and publican Donal McLynn said: “Eugene always had a kind word for everyone... It is just horrible. It makes us all nervous.”

Meanwhile, Declan Foley, an Australian-based member of a respected Sligo business family, posted a website notice: “I am going to organise a fund to raise a reward for information leading to the conviction of those involved.

“Anyone wishing to support this please email me on [e-mail]. It is past time when decent people are murdered with impunity in their own homes.”

The attack is the latest in a spate of aggravated burglaries. Last Friday, an elderly woman and her family were subjected to a terrifying attack in Kilmurry McMahon in west Clare.

The 80-year-old woman and her middle-aged son and daughter were confronted by three masked men who smashed a window and glass panel door demanding cash and threatening them with a knife after they were unable to gain entry.

Gardaí subsequently arrested them. A file is being prepared for the DPP.