Gardaí launch a murder investigation after death of homeless man

Gardaí are appealing for information following the murder of a homeless man on Mardyke Walk early on Sunday morning. 

Timothy Hourihane, aged 53, was discovered with severe injuries after emergency services were called to a tent that was on fire on Mardyke Walk in the city centre at approximately 12.45am on Sunday morning. He was brought to Cork University Hospital (CUH) and later pronounced dead.

Speaking at the scene on Sunday, Garda Superintendent Michael Comyns said: “We are appealing to those who were in the Mardyke Walk area between 11pm last night and 1am this morning who may have witnessed any activity in the area to come forward. We are also appealing to motorists who may have passed through Mardyke Walk around these times to make dash-cam footage available to us.

“There are a number of guest houses in the area with visitors to the city staying last night and we would ask that if anybody seen or heard anything, no matter how insignificant they think it is, to contact us. We are currently treating this as a homicide investigation.”

The scene was preserved for technical examination by the Cork City Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit. A post mortem was carried out by the Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, on Sunday afternoon, the results of which are not being released for operational reasons.

Following the post mortem, a murder investigation was launched by gardaí. A number of statements were taken and CCTV in the area was downloaded.

A number of homeless people have been living in tents in a public park and amenity on Mardyke Walk, where Mr Hourihane's tent was set up.  

Members of the public with information are asked to contact Anglesea Street Garda Station on 021-4522000, or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666111 or any garda station.