Man left almost unidentifiable

Gardai were last night still trying to formally name a middle-aged man found dead in a pool of his own blood on his own property as severe injuries to his head have left his remains almost unidentifiable.

The man, who has been named locally as 42-year-old Kevin Molloy, was found on Sunday morning in the Dublin suburb of Cabra, where he may have been lying for a number of days.

After making the grim discovery, gardai launched a murder investigation on Monday night.

However, they remain baffled at who may have violently assaulted Mr Molloy, who is believed to have been killed by blunt force to the head and whose injuries were so extensive gardai are depending on DNA evidence to formally confirm who he is.

Mr Molloy was found by relatives who became concerned about the lack of contact with him in recent days and was named locally by neighbours on Glendhu Road yesterday. He has been described as a quiet, single unemployed man who kept to himself and was not known to gardai.

Officers who attended a detective case meeting on the assault last night said they currently have no motive for the attack and have asked anyone with information to contact Cabra garda station immediately.

The scene of the incident was attended by State pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy yesterday, and remains sealed off for further forensic examination.

It is believed Mr Molloy had been living in the house in Cabra, on the northside of Dublin City, for eight years and was originally from the nearby Drumcondra area.

Locals said he was an ex-engineer who previously ran his own business, and was known to be a quiet man who kept to himself.

One neighbour who spoke to reporters yesterday said:

“It’s terribly sad to think that this could happen. His poor family must be terribly distressed.

“I haven’t seen Kevin since before Christmas, but he would come and go. You would never hear a peep from him.

“We certainly didn’t hear any disturbance at the house or anything.”

Mr Molloy’s violent death is one of a number to have already occurred this year. However, it has no links to gangland crime, making it strikingly different to many other high-profile murders to gain public attention throughout Ireland in recent years. n Anyone with information has been urged to contact Cabra Garda station on 01-6667400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or any garda station immediately.