Named locally as Ian Walsh (49), he was found at a property in Carrick-on-Suir, in south Tipperary, early yesterday morning when family members and neighbours went to check on him after becoming concerned for his welfare.
It is understood he had not been seen locally for two or three days.
He had kept an appointment with family and friends every Sunday and relatives became concerned when they were unable to contact him despite repeated attempts.
Mr Walsh was found unresponsive with visible marks and injuries to his body in a house off Cregg Road, in the north-eastern section of Carrick-on-Suir.
It is thought he may have been dead for several hours.
Gardaí were immediately alerted and attended the scene.
Paramedics and a local GP were also notified.
Mr Walsh was pronounced dead at the scene before being transferred to University Hospital Waterford (UHW).
The nature of their investigation will be determined by the results of the post-mortem
A post-mortem examination will be conducted at UHW.
Gardaí said the nature of their investigation will be determined by the results of the post-mortem examination.
However, garda sources said the death was being treated as suspicious pending the findings of the pathologist.
Detectives want to clarify the precise circumstances in which Mr Walsh suffered the visible injuries – and who had visited his home over the previous 76 hours.
The deceased is understood to have lived at the property for a considerable period of time.
His family live in the Carrick-on-Suir area.
Ian Walsh
Today’s news in 90 Seconds – Tuesday, August 5th
Mr Walsh worked in the public transport sector and was well known locally in Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel.
He was a lifelong rail enthusiast and had numerous friends within Irish Rail.
Friends expressed shock at his death and hailed him as someone who was known and respected in rail and coach circles, from Dublin to Cork and Waterford.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Walsh by rail and tourism groups.
Táilte Tours said Mr Walsh had been of enormous support to them over the years – and had run several rail heritage tours of his own.
“It is with great sadness that the Táilte Tours team has learnt of the passing of Ian Walsh, signaller at Cork station and a huge supporter of our rail tour operation,” the tour group posted on social media.
“Ian ran five rail tours of his own over the course of the mid to late 2000s, and was very much a pioneer in ‘outside the box’ tours in Ireland, starting them from locations such as Waterford and Limerick, in an era when tours were generally based in Dublin or Belfast.
“He was more than happy to pass his experience and expertise on when we started operations a few years ago; for those of who enjoyed the ‘surprise’ rare track moves on our Cork-based rail tours, you can thank Ian, who went far beyond the extra mile to ensure our operations went off without a hitch.
“He had a wonderful knowledge of the Iarnród Éireann system and its people, and had also developed a passion for Bus Éireann operations, diligently recording the last runs on several rural routes in the south east as they disappeared, quickly becoming a friend to bus drivers in the Cork and Waterford areas.
“All at Táilte Tours would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends.”
He was also very involved in sports and was said to be a keen cyclist and walker, careful to maintain his own fitness.
Gardaí have preserved the scene to allow for a full forensic and technical examination.
The Garda Technical Bureau has been notified and door-to-door inquiries will be conducted to determine Mr Walsh’s last-known movements.
Officers are also keen to determine if anyone heard or saw anything suspicious in the area over the previous 76 hours.
Gardaí will also check CCTV security camera footage from residential properties and businesses in the town to determine any movements to and from Cregg Road.
