A “LOVELY man” who died after a fatal assault in Limerick city overnight has been named as gardai question a suspect in connection with the pensioner’s death.
Michael Hayes, aged in his 70s, died after he was assaulted outside his home at St Michael’s Court in Watergate at around 11:30pm last night.
A man in his 40s, who was arrested in connection with the incident this morning, is being questioned by Gardai on suspicion of involvement in Mr Hayes’s death.
Gardai investigating the death of the pensioner believe he was punched and then beaten with a vodka bottle wrapped in a bag.
The fatal assault occurred outside Mr Hayes’s house.
Gardaí were probing a number of lines of enquiry, including that the victim may have gone to investigate loud noises outside his home when he was attacked.
Sources said he suffered a critical head injury.
Neighbour Geraldine Costello paid tribute to Mr Hayes, saying: “Michael was a lovely boy, he’d always go out of his way to do a good turn for you.
“His dog, Daisy, is crying all the time because Michael is not there.
“I was only talking to (Michael) yesterday, I’m after getting an awful shock.
“I went to bed last night, and I woke up when I heard all the commotion but Michael was home by the time I went out.”
Ms Costello continued: “I was very fond of him, I’m a good friend of his, I’ve known him since I was young and I’m very sorry that he is gone.”
‘SHOCKING’
Her niece, Tracy Coleman, added: “It is shocking, because he was a really lovely man, and he would always go out of his way and do whatever for you.
“There are no words to describe it, a lovely man doing his own thing, and his life just gone now like that.
“He was a young for his age, everyday he was always going for walks.”
It’s understood Mr Hayes lived alone and has a number of grown up children.
Sources said HSE paramedics responded quickly at the scene on Thursday night and valiantly tried to keep Mr Hayes alive at the scene and en route to University Hospital Limerick.
PRONOUNCED DEAD
Mr Hayes was sadly pronounced dead by doctors after arriving at UHL on Friday morning.
Gardai immediately launched a full-scale investigation, including appointing a “Senior Investigating Officer to lead the investigation”.
Officers set up a large cordon around St Michael’s Court, situated off St Michael’s Street and Mungret Street, Limerick City.
As uniformed officers kept a cordon at the scene, detectives were conducting house-to-house enquiries in the area.
Gardai said the State Pathologist and local Coroner had been notified and that a post-mortem examination had been arranged.
APPEAL
They are also appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward.
A spokesperson said: “Anyone who was in the Watergate area of Limerick city on Thursday 10th July 2025 between 11:15pm and 12am and who may have any information regarding the incident is asked to contact investigating Gardai.
“Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make that footage available.
“Gardai can be contacted at Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
