Pensioner found dead in Cork 'kept himself to himself'

A pensioner has been found dead in his home by workmen.

The bachelor, named locally as 71-year-old Alan Lee, lived alone in a cottage in rural Knockgorm, a few miles north of Cloyne in east Cork.

The alarm was raised by workmen who discovered his remains at about noon.

His body has been removed to Cork University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow to determine the exact cause of death.

Detectives initially treated his death as suspicious, but are now investigating if the incident was a personal tragedy.

Father Donal O’Mahony, parish priest in Cloyne, said: “The man was a very shy man really. He kept himself to himself over the years. He would pick up leaves and papers in the area.

“I know he would drop down some daffodils in the springtime that would end up in the church.”