Gardai begin murder probe after man’s death in Cork

“I am conducting a risk assessment here in the circumstances, and I find he is a flight risk, and so I do refuse bail.”

He told Downey he has the right to appeal against that decision.

A large crowd had gathered outside the town centre court house in support of Downey, including Sinn Fein MP for the area Orfhlaith Begley and a number of former and current Sinn Fein representatives including ex-MP Pat Doherty.

After the hearing, Downey was transferred from the court to a waiting police van.

Crowds shouted support for the accused, before a scuffle ensued between them and police officers after PSNI had attempted to move supporters and the press from the road. A HOMELESS man found with fatal injuries close to a burning tent in Cork was the victim of an assault, gardai have said.

The victim, aged in his 50s, was found unconscious on Mardyke Walk lying a short distance from the tent shortly before 1am.

He had sustained serous injuries consistent with an assault.

The man, who it is understood had been living in the tent, was later pronounced dead in hospital.

The area, which is beside a public park, has increasingly been used by homeless people in recent months.

Garda Superintendent Michael Comyns confirmed detectives had launched a homicide investigation.

“We are appealing to those who were in Mardyke Walk area between last night and 1am this morning who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area to come forward,” he said.

“We are currently treating this as a homicide investigation.”