Gardaí believe poker or iron bar was used to murder Paddy (90)
WATERFORD murder victim Paddy Lyons (90) was struck repeatedly about the head and face with a heavy blunt object like a poker or an iron bar.
Gardaí investigating the brutal murder believe that between six and 10 people were in the pensioner’s farmhouse in the 48 hours before his death.
Sources admitted forensic officers examining the farmer’s isolated Ballysaggart home in west Waterford are facing “significant work”.
The condition of both the inside and outside of the house is understood to be decrepit – with half a dozen members of Garda search teams on the scene again yesterday afternoon.
When bachelor Mr Lyons was discovered lying slumped in a chair in the kitchen of his home last Saturday, his face was covered in blood.
He had suffered severe blows to his head and face, resulting in broken bones, as well as arm injuries thought to have been inflicted as he tried to shield his head from further attack.
It is understood that a substantial amount of forensic material, ranging from fingerprints to DNA samples and clothing fibres, has now been recovered from the property.
And a number of items are also being examined to determine if they may have been used as the weapon in the fatal assault on Mr Lyons.
However, none were found to be blood-stained – leading detectives to suspect that the murder weapon may have been removed from the property. Gar- daí are also examining security camera footage from business properties in Lismore, Cappoquin and Ballyduff in a bid to determine the movements of specific individuals on Friday and Saturday.
Separately, gardaí investigating the murder of the pensioner raided a house in Tipperary and seized clothing and other items for forensic examination.
Detectives, forensics and search teams combed the house all day yesterday having arrived there late on Monday night.
Gardaí are still trying to establish if Mr Lyons was robbed after the attack.
He was known to collect his pension payments in Lismore on Fridays, when he was taken to the town by a neighbour and carer.
Gardaí said he was murdered between 5pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday last.
He had been the victim of burglary several times in the past.
Officers said last night that they had made progress with their inquiries and had interviewed neighbours and others known to have called to his house regularly.
Meanwhile, a suspect in his twenties was still being questioned about the brutal murder and was being held at Dungarvan Garda Station under section 4 of the 1984 Criminal Justice Act.
Forensic tests were under way as detectives continued to interrogate the suspect before his period of detention without charge was due to expire.
Under the legislation, the man could be held for up to 24 hours, excluding rest periods.