A Garda stands on duty in Blacklion at the home of Denis Neary (52) who was found deceased at the apartment on Thursday. Photo: Lorraine Teevan

Funeral of deceased man to take place today

Gardaí rule out foul play in Blacklion death

The funeral will take place today of a man found dead in his Blacklion home last week.

The body of Denis Neary (52) was found at a residence in the village with gardaí initially treating it as suspected murder only to later rule out foul play following the completion of a post mortem.

A garda statement issued on Friday afternoon confirmed the completion of the post mortem.

“An Garda Síochána does not comment on the specific results of post mortem examinations for operational reasons.

“However, as a result of preliminary results provided to An Garda Síochána, foul play is no longer suspected in this incident,” it read.

A male in his 30s who had been detained at Castlerea Garda Station for questioning in connection with the death was released and gardaí further confirmed he “is no longer suspected of any criminality in this incident”.

An Garda Síochána continue to investigate this matter “for the preparation of a coroner inquest file only”, the statement concluded.

The community of Blacklion was in “shock” following the discovery of the body in the house on Thursday morning, which gardaí were initially treating as a murder investigation.

The deceased was named locally as Denis Neary (52), a Lusk man who was relatively new to the area.

At approximately 9:15am, on Thursday, March 9, gardaí received reports of a man discovered, unresponsive, with serious injuries at a domestic residence in Blacklion.

Despite medical intervention by gardaí, the male, aged in his 50s, was later pronounced dead by paramedics.

A garda presence remained outside the apartment just off the main street in Blacklion on Friday as forensic examinations of the scene were carried out by members of the Garda Technical Bureau. As a result of Garda enquiries and follow-on investigations, a man in his 30s was later arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been released.

Local councillor John Paul Feeley expressed his sympathies to Mr Neary’s family following his sudden death.

"It was a huge shock to think that someone might have died in violent circumstances in a quiet, peaceful village like Blacklion. On foot of the State Pathologist’s Report the criminal element of the investigation is now concluded. My sympathy to those who mourn the death of Denis Neary," he said.

Mr Neary’s removal will take place this afternoon (Wednesday), March 15, to Dardistown Crematorium arriving for 3pm service.

He is sadly missed by his loving parents Denis and Imelda, sisters Loraine and Denise, nieces Rebecca and Rachel, grandniece Belle, Michael, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, friends and his beloved dog Tiny. May he rest in peace.