Status of garda probe unchanged after autopsy

The status of the garda investigation into the death of a man after a serious assault in Cork remained unchanged last night after a postmortem examination concluded.

Gardaí investigating Patsy Deasy’s death declined to reveal the outcome of the autopsy for operational reasons.

“The status of our investigation remains as it was,” Superintendent Barry McPolin said.

“We have taken on board the results of the postmortem and are still investigating a serious assault, an unlawful killing. And we are following a number of lines of enquiry.”

He said detectives are following several lines of enquiry after reviewing CCTV footage from nearby premises and receiving good co-operation and assistance from the local community.

Mr Deasy, 57, from McGrath Park, off Church Road in Blackrock, died at Cork University Hospital on Monday two days after he was assaulted.

He was attending a birthday party with his wife, Ann, at the Red Cove Inn, on Avenue De Rennes, in Mahon, on Friday when an altercation took place outside the bar.

It is understood that a number of individuals had been ejected from the bar some time after midnight.

Mr Deasy was assaulted outside the bar just before 1am after he went to check on his daughter-in-law.

It is believed that he was either pushed or slapped by an individual as he tried to calm tensions, and fell heavily. He suffered serious head injuries and was rushed to CUH where he underwent emergency surgery.

He was placed in an induced coma but remained in a critical condition.

Mr Deasy, who worked with Cork City Council’s parks department, died around lunchtime on Monday when his life support machine was switched off.