Body of railway worker murdered in Tipperary to be cremated in Cork

Ian Walsh will lie in repose at Tom Hennessy’s Funeral Home in Johnstown, Waterford, today from 6pm to 8pm

Ian Walsh, a rail signaller at Kent station in Cork was on his summer holidays when he was stabbed in his home in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, it is understood. Picture: Táilte Tours/Facebook

The body of murdered Irish Rail employee Ian Walsh will be brought to Cork for a cremation service on Tuesday.

The rail signaller at Kent station in Cork was on his summer holidays when he was stabbed in his home in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, it is understood.

Gardaí are following multiple lines of inquiry, including that his attacker may have been known to him. There was no sign of forced entry at Mr Walsh's home, it is understood, suggesting that he allowed his attacker to enter the house.

The body of Mr Walsh, aged 49, was found by relatives at his home in Ravenswood on Cregg Road early on August 4. The last confirmed sighting of him alive was on the evening of Friday, August 1.

A murder investigation was launched by gardaí after an autopsy revealed that he was the victim of foul play. Councillor David Dunne of Sinn Féin lives near Mr Walsh’s home in Carrick-on-Suir and would often see him cycling in the area.

Mr Dunne said:

There’s a lot of fear that whoever did this murder is still at large.

“People are shocked and scared. And people are hoping that no one local was involved in the murder.

“Gardaí were searching the river [for a murder weapon] on Saturday and Sunday. But the river is 1.2km away from Mr Walsh’s home and you have to walk through the town to get there, it’s quite a long way on foot.” 

Mr Walsh was often seen cycling on the local Suir Blueway – a former tow path between Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel.

A cremation service for Mr Walsh will take place in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, on Tuesday at 3pm.

Mr Walsh was predeceased by his father Philip and his grandparents. He is survived by his mother Breda Forristal, his brother Paul and Paul’s partner Rachel, and his uncle Mick Forristal.

He will lie in repose at Tom Hennessy’s Funeral Home in Johnstown, Waterford, today from 6pm to 8pm.

The late Ian Walsh, who was originally from the Kilcohan area of Waterford. Picture: Rip.ie

In a statement, Irish Rail said Mr Walsh was a well-known and popular colleague through his working life, from catering to signalling, and through his passion for railways and transport tourism and heritage.

“Our thoughts are with his family, and his friends in the railway and beyond, at this difficult time.” 

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information related to Mr Walsh’s death to come forward, including any road users who were in the area of Cregg Road between 8pm on Friday, August 1 and 3.30am on Monday, August 4.

Additionally, anyone who may have camera footage and was travelling in the area at the time is asked to make it available to gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clonmel Garda station on [phone], the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.