Two held after man is found strangled in sheltered housing

Two people were arrested yesterday in relation to the murder of a man at a sheltered housing unit for the elderly in Dublin on Monday.

The body of Thomas Horan, 63, was found in the bedroom of his apartment at Cambridge Court, Ringsend, at about 4am on Jan 6.

An autopsy revealed he had been strangled.

Mr Horan, a separated man, had been living at Cambridge Court for three years. It is believed that he came from near Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

Gardaí confirmed there were no signs of any break-in at Mr Horan’s home and it is likely he may have been fatally injured by somebody he admitted to the property.

A 27-year-old male and a 37-year-old female were being held last night at Garda stations in Irishtown and Donnybrook under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Locals described Mr Horan as a “quiet, inoffensive man” who had a passion for music.

Residents of Cambridge Court also expressed concern about the lack of security measures around the complex, which is run by Dublin City Council.

They criticised the local authority for failing to address issues raised by people living in the sheltered homes.

Neighbours of Mr Horan said there had been a number of robberies and burglaries of homes within Cambridge Court in recent years, while there are also ongoing problems with people trespassing on the property and graffiti.

Gardaí have appealed for anyone who may have been in the Cambridge Court/Road area in Irishtown between 10pm on Sunday and 4am on Monday to contact them at Irishtown Garda Station on 01 666 9600.