The lead suspect in the Wexford New Year’s Eve murder was known to the victim and to Gardaí.

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 58-year-old man, John O'Connor, in New Ross, county Wexford.

Two men were arrested over the man's death on Tuesday.

Details

Irish Times crime and security editor Connor Lally told Newstalk Breakfast that one man who has been arrested in connection with the presumed murder was known to the Gardaí.

“John O'Connor, a 58-year-old man, was murdered in a house on the Cluain Fada estate in New Ross on New Year's Eve,” he said.

“Of the two men who were detained for questioning, one of them is actually still being held.

“After the post mortem was performed on the remains of John O'Connor, the case was upgraded to a murder inquiry.

“The man being held, he was known to John O'Connor - he is a person who is very well known to Gardaí as well.”

Previous convictions

Mr Lally said the man being held in Garda custody has “a lot of” previous convictions.

“[He] recently served a prison sentence and was only freed from jail in the last couple of weeks as we understand it,” he said.

“So, he is the main person of interest at the centre of the inquiry.

“He is still being held by the Gardaí and he would have to be released without charge or charged with a crime today in relation to the case.”

Why?

Mr Lally said Gardaí are trying to determine why John O’Connor was targeted.

“Gardaí are really just trying to determine why John O'Connor was attacked at his home,” he said.

“He was described by local people as a very well-known person in the area, and he seemed to be very popular [and] had a lot of friends there.

“There is a lot of shock, obviously, on the estate that he has been killed in the way that he has.”

Investigations are ongoing.

A Garda station. Image: Alamy