The family of a homeless man murdered in Cork city say they are "naturally devastated".

Timothy Hourihane was found unconscious by Gardaí and emergency services at around 12.45am on Sunday morning near a tent on fire at Mardyke Walk.

He was taken to Cork University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

A post mortem was carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

However Gardaí say the results are not being released for operational reasons.

The family of Mr Hourihane are asking that their privacy be respected and they be given space to grieve at this sad time.

They also say the funeral arrangements are to be treated as strictly private, and ask that media not try to contact them.

The family also ask that people give any assistance that they can to An Garda Síochána to help bring some closure to the matter.

An incident room has been established and a senior investigating officer has been appointed to the case.

A number of statements have been taken and CCTV in the area is being examined.

Speaking on Sunday, Superintendent Michael Comyns said: "We are appealing to those who were in Mardyke Walk area between 11.00pm last night and 1.00am this morning who may have witnessed any activity in the area to come forward.

"We are also appealing to motorists who may have passed through Mardyke Walk around these times to make dash-cam footage available to us.

"There are a number of guest houses in the area with visitors to the city staying last night and we would ask that if anybody seen or heard anything, no matter how insignificant they think it is, to contact us.

"We are currently treating this as a homicide investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Anglesea Street Garda station on 021-4522-000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.