A State Pathologist is in Castlebar today to carry out a post mortem examination on the body of a man which was discovered by the emergency services as they dealt with a house fire yesterday evening (Sunday).
Gardai have mounted a murder investigation following the death of a man whose name has not yet been formally released ,however, has been named locally as John Brogan, a retired farmer, aged 83.
He lived alone in a cottage at Pheasant Hill, Cloonkeen, Castlebar.
The elderly man had been shot a number of times.
His body remained overnight at the damaged house pending the arrival of the pathologist.
The house and the surrounding area have been sealed off as officers from the Garda Technical Bureau are conducting a forensic examination of the scene.
A man in his sixties was arrested yesterday evening in connection with the incident and he is being held for questioning at Castlebar Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Gardaí have issued an appeal to anyone with information to contact them at Castlebar Garda Station on 094 9038200, on the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or at any garda station
The deceased was a well known farmer whose family lived at Pheasant Hill, near Castlebar, for generations.
According to locals, John was a familiar figure on his bicycle over the years cycling to and from Castlebar, several miles away.
As light faded yesterday evening, neighbours watched in horror and disbelief from the nearby roadway as flames leapt from the front of the neat dwellinghouse. The blaze was quickly extinguished by the fire services.
Local councillor Martin McLoughlin, a member of Mayo County Council, told Midwest News today that the local community is shocked and saddened by the ‘grim’ events which unfolded yesterday. He described it as “an absolute tragedy”.
