Tributes paid to Timothy

Two members of Cork City Council, Solidarity's Fiona Ryan and Fianna Fáil's Fergal Dennehy, have spoken of their shock at the murder of Timothy Hourihane.

Cllr Fiona Ryan spoke of Mr Hourihane's humourous side and remembered him as someone who wasn't afraid to speak his mind.

“He was a great character. He was always funny. Every single interaction I ever had with him, he’d have a joke on him. Very gregarious, and very political as well. He was a homeless person himself, but an advocate for homeless people as well. And he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. He was articulate, he was educated, and he was a top chef. He was beloved, pretty much by everyone,” she said.

Mr Hourihane, aged 53, was discovered with severe injuries after emergency services were called to a tent fire on the Mardyke Walk on Sunday morning. He was brought to CUH and later pronounced dead.

Cllr Fergal Dennehy knew Mr Hourihane well, and had often met him socially in the past.

“Timmy was very flamboyant, always well dressed, well educated, and well spoken. Just great company. A highly intellectual individual, who unfortunately found himself in the homeless circle. I would have considered him a friend. On many occasions, I met Timmy socially. His death, obviously, is a tragedy.

“It saddened me to think that Timmy was actually sleeping in a tent, because I think Timmy had what it takes to get himself out of homelessness.

“And I just don’t know what happened in his life to change that. There are unfortunately homeless people on the streets of Cork that I personally know that are highly educated, and at one time would have had good jobs.”

Following a post mortem, a murder investigation was launched.

Meanwhile, following his death, the family of Mr Hourihane, who was from West Cork originally, have asked for privacy.

They have also asked members of the public to assist the gardaí in any way possible to bring closure to the matter.

The garda investigation into the murder is ongoing and any members of the public who may have information are asked to contact gardaí at Anglesea Street Station on 021-4522000, or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666111 or any garda station.