Man arrested after body found in waste chute

A man in his 20s has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 58-year-old man whose body was found in a waste chute in Cork city centre.

The body of Liam Manley, a long-term resident of the Simon Community, was found at City Garden Apartments, Northgate St eight days ago.

The arrested man was taken to Bridewell Garda Station where he was detained under Section 4 of Criminal Justice Act 1984. It is understood the man’s body was found by a maintenance worker who was responding to a request from the management company to clear the waste chute after residents reported a blockage.

The chute runs from the roof of the complex to the ground. The worker had difficulty clearing the blockage and on further investigation found a body. It is understood the chute had previously been cleared the Saturday before. Mr Manley was from Baker’s Road in Gurranabraher. He had previously lived at a Simon House on Boreenmanna Road.

Gardaí used dental records and DNA samples to confirm his identity.

A post mortem examination on Mr Manley’s body confirmed that he was the victim of an assault and gardaí upgraded their inquiry to an unlawful killing.

His body was found in the refuse area of the apartments on North Main Street and the Northgate House apartments on Bachelor’s Quay, both of which back onto the same area.

It was discovered next to drains and a large rubbish bin used to collect waste from the chute.

Investigators said their focus was on the City Garden element of the complex.

The apartments are adjacent to the Gate Cinema and in a very busy part of the city.