Man arrested after man in his 70s dies in Limerick city assault

LAST UPDATE | 22 hrs ago

GARDAÍ HAVE ARRESTED a man in his 40s following the death of a pensioner in Limerick City overnight.

The deceased man, named locally as Michael Hayes aged in his 70s, was found with serious injuries in the Cornmarket area of the city at around 11:30pm. It’s understood the man suffered the injuries as a result of being assaulted.

He was discovered near St Michael’s Court shortly before midnight.

Sources said it is believed the dead man was beaten with a blunt weapon in a frenzied attack. The incident happened outside the Michael Hayes’ home near Watergate. 

Two HSE ambulances attended the scene and paramedics resuscitated the injured man to the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

One of Michael Hayes’ neighbours, Geraldine Costello, paid tribute to the dead man, and said: “Michael was a lovely boy, he’d always go out of his way to do a good turn for you.”

“His dog, Daisy, is crying all the time because Michael is not there,” Ms Costello said.

“I was only talking to (Michael) yesterday, I’m after getting an awful shock.”

“I went to bed last night, and I woke up when I heard all the commotion but Michael was home by the time I went out.”

“I was very fond of him, I’m a good friend of his, I’ve known him since I was young and I’m very sorry that he is gone,” Ms Costello added.

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Her niece, Tracy Coleman, offered: “It is shocking, because he was a really lovely man, and he would always go out of his way and do whatever do you.”

“There are no words to describe it, a lovely man doing his own thing, and his life just gone now like that,” said Ms Coleman.

“He was a young for his age, everyday he was always going for walks.”

It’s understood Mr Hayes lived alone and has a number of grown up children.

The scene in Watergate has been preserved for technical and forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau, a garda spokesperson said.

The Office of the State Pathologist and local Coroner have been notified. A post-mortem examination has been arranged.

A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation.

The arrested man is currently detained in a Garda station in Limerick city.

“Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward. Anyone who was in the Watergate area of Limerick city on Thursday 10th July 2025 between 11:15pm and 12am and who may have any information regarding the incident is asked to contact investigating Gardaí,” a statement said.

“Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make that footage available.”

Gardaí can be contacted at Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

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