A MAN has been arrested over the murder of a popular 90-year-old retired farmer found dead in his home over the weekend.
The body of Paddy Lyons was discovered in his rural cottage outside Ballysaggart village, near Lismore in Co Waterford, on Saturday afternoon.
An investigation was launched and a post-mortem examination was carried out on his remains at Waterford University Hospital.
Gardai upgraded their probe to a full-scale murder inquiry after receiving the results.
The elderly bachelor is reported to have suffered head injuries.
Investigating gardaí said yesterday afternoon that they had arrested a man aged in his twenties in connection with the murder.
The suspect was detained in Waterford and taken to Waterford Garda station where he is being questioned under section four of the Criminal Justice Act.
Speaking at the crime scene, Superintendent Michael Leacy had earlier appealed for a pair who raised the alarm by calling at a neighbour's home on Saturday afternoon to get in contact.
The man and woman, who were driving a van at the time, have since identified themselves and come forward.
Supt Leacy said Mr Lyons was well-known and well-liked in the community.
"Paddy was well-known in the local community and he had regular visitors to his house," he said.
"We would ask anyone who called to his house on a regular basis to contact us at the incident room at Dungarvan Garda station.
"Paddy was well-liked and well-respected in the community and I would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward."
Supt Lacey said he was seeking public assistance locally and in the wider community.
The scene, down a lane off the main Ballysaggart and Araglin road, remains sealed off as forensic tests are carried out by Garda technical experts.
