‘Shock’ in Drumlish as man fights for his life, Longford Gardaí appeal for witnesses

There is shock and sadness in North Longford following the discovery of a popular man with serious injuries who is now fighting for his life in Mullingar General Hospital, where his condition was described as critical on Tuesday.

Gardaí  said they are "investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the discovery" of the well-known butcher, in his 60s, at Currabawn, Drumlish on Saturday.

The stricken man was rushed by ambulance to Mullingar General Hospital where he was gravely ill on Tuesday and An Garda Síochána have issued a witness appeal for anyone with information to come forward. and sought dash-cam footage.

Local Fine Gael Senator Paraic Brady said local people are "very saddened and shocked" by the incident and the critically ill man, his relatives and friends are in their thoughts at this time.

It is understood one line of inquiry being investigated by Gardaí is that the man may have been assaulted.

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A Garda spokesperson said, "A technical examination was carried out at the scene.

"The last known movements of the man were at Currabawn at approximately 7pm on Wednesday, November 5.

"Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

 "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Currabawn/Mohill road, Drumlish area between 7pm on Wednesday, November 5 and 6:30pm on Saturday, November 8 are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí."

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Senator Brady said local people ‘have always been very fond’ of the injured man.

"This man was a great character and he was a butcher by trade who used to work in a local abattoir for Davis Meats for years.

"He was very obliging to farmers when they would ever have an animal that was sick.

"If they had an animal that needed a foot down or whatever, he'd always do that.

"He worked in O'Malley's slaughterhouse below in Carrigallen as well."

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Senator Brady said he would trust that local people and the public would help in any way that they can with the investigation.

"I would concur with the Garda appeal and I would urge anyone with any dash cam footage in the area between last Wednesday and Saturday to please come forward with it."

 Anyone with any information should contact Longford Garda Station on 043 3350570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

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