Macroom murder victim Michael Foley to be laid to rest on Monday

The remains of 61-year-old Michael Foley were discovered when a neighbour became concerned having not seen him for a few days. 

The funeral is set to take place on Monday of the murdered father of four Michael Foley, who was found dead at his home in Macroom, Co Cork, last week.

Gardaí have launched a murder probe after an autopsy carried out by assistant state pathologist Margot Bolster indicated that Mr Foley, aged 61, had suffered a violent death.

It is understood that he died after he sustained blunt force trauma to the head from an assault.

The body of Mr Foley, who was a native of Scartagh in Clonakilty, West Cork, was found in the kitchen of his sheltered accommodation at Annville, Barrett’s Place, Macroom, at around 1pm last Tuesday.

A care worker called to check on Mr Foley after neighbours expressed concern for his welfare having not seen the local man for a few days.

It is believed he had been dead for a few days before his body was found. He had lived in the sheltered accommodation for about a year.

A Garda search team working at Lucey's Lane in Macroom after Michael Foley's body was found in his home at Annville last Tuesday.  Picture: Larry Cummins

Mr Foley was described locally as an outgoing and pleasant man who liked to socialise with friends at his home.

The funeral Mass for Mr Foley will take place at 12pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clonakilty with burial following at St Mary’s Cemetery in the town.

It is the second tragedy to hit the family of in recent times.

In October 2018, Timmy Foley, younger brother of Michael Foley, was stabbed 28 times by his 48-year-old ex-wife, Rita O’Driscoll.

Ms O’Driscoll was jailed for life for the murder of the 44-year-old following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

Mary O’Driscoll, a sister of the late Michael and Timmy, said it was hard to absorb yet another loss in their close-knit family.

“It is devastating that we have to go through this,” she said.

The property where the Mr Foley was found was technically and forensically examined. House-to-house inquiries have been carried out and CCTV is being looked at to determine his last known movements.

• Anyone with information on the incident should contact gardaí in Macroom, Co Cork on 026 20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111, or any garda station.