Community in shock following fatal assault at exclusive hotel in Laois

A man has died following a fatal assault at an exclusive hotel in Laois. Gardaí arrested a man in his thirties in relation to the incident at Ballyfin Demesne on Tuesday evening.

Gardaí discovered a man in his 60s was found dead at the exclusive hotel resort shortly after 8pm. 

It is understood the deceased and the man who was arrested are known to each other. 

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Gardaí said the man in his 30s is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the Eastern Region.

They said the services of the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested.

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A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Portlaoise Garda Station. A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) will be appointed to support the family of the deceased. Gardaí said investigations are ongoing.

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Local Independent Cllr James Kelly, who would have attended school in Ballyfin before it was turned into a hotel,  said the was widespread shock in the area at the news. 

"It is a shock for everybody really. For the area, for the family that are involved in this now, for the staff in there as well," he said. 

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"We look at Ballyfin Demesne as one of the high end hotels and it is a great asset to Laois for tourism but also for the high profile guest that stay there as well," said Cllr Kelly.