Michael Hayes, a pensioner, was believed to have been attacked and then battered to death with a vodka bottle, according to the Gardai who are the ones investigating his death.
The body of Mr. Hayes, who was in his seventies at the time, was discovered outside of his residence in the St. Michael’s Court apartments in Watergate, Limerick City, at approximately 11.30 p.m. on Thursday.
When Mr. Hayes arrived at University Hospital Limerick in the early hours of Friday morning, paramedics attempted to revive him and then transported him by ambulance to the hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead there.
On Friday morning, Gardaí made an arrest consisting of a guy in his forties who was acquainted with Mr. Hayes, but who is not linked to him in any way.
Gardaí were conducting an investigation into the individual, who was suspected of being the perpetrator of the crime.
Mr. Hayes is believed to have been assaulted and beaten with a vodka bottle that was wrapped in a bag, according to the Gardaí.
A variety of lines of inquiry were being investigated by the Gardaí in relation to the circumstances surrounding the murder of Mr. Hayes. One of these lines of inquiry was that it is possible that he went to check loud noises outside his home when he was attacked.
Outside of Mr. Hayes’s residence is where the tragic assault took place. It has been reported by sources that he had a severe head injury.
According to reports, the next step in the inquiry being done by the Garda will be determined by the findings of a post mortem examination that was scheduled to be carried out by the office of the State Pathologist.
Geraldine Costello, who was a neighbor of Mr. Hayes, paid tribute to him by saying, “Michael was a lovely boy, he’d always go out of his way to do a good turn for you.” Mr. Hayes was a longtime resident of the neighborhood.
According to Ms. Costello, “His dog, Daisy, is crying all the time because Michael is not there,” and she mentioned this.
Having just had a conversation with Michael the day before, I am currently experiencing a terrible shock.
“I went to bed last night, and when I woke up, I heard all the commotion, but Michael was already at home by the time I went out,” the speaker said.
“He was someone I had a lot of affection for, I was a good friend of his, I’ve known him since I was a child, and I’m very sorry that he is no longer with us,” Ms. Costello continued.
Tracy Coleman, her niece, expressed her dismay by saying, “It is shocking because he was a really lovely man, and he would always go out of his way and do whatever do you.”
“There are no words to describe it, a lovely man doing his own thing, and his life just gone now like that,” said Ms. Coleman. “I could not have imagined it any other way.”
According to the statement, “He was a young man for his age, and he was always going for walks.”
It is well knowledge that Mr. Hayes lived by himself and has a number of children who are now adults.
Immediately, the Gardaí initiated a comprehensive inquiry, which included the appointment of a “Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) to lead the investigation that was being conducted.”
At the location, which is situated in Limerick City between St. Michael’s Street, Ellen Street, and Mungret Street, a big section of apartments was surrounded by a tape cordon that was set by the Garda.
In addition to doing house-to-house investigations, the detectives were collecting whatever CCTV footage that was available in the neighborhood.
“Gardaí are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in his seventies following an incident of assault in Watergate, Limerick city on 10th July 2025 at approximately 11:30pm,” according to a statement that was released by the Garda Press Office on Friday with the intention of shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The man, who was in his seventies, was taken to University Hospital Limerick with injuries that were considered to be life-threatening. It was on Friday, July 11th, 2025, that he was officially classified as deceased.
According to the Garda Technical Bureau, the scene of the Watergate scandal has been preserved for the purpose of conducting technical and forensic investigations.
A post-mortem examination was scheduled, according to the Gardai, who also stated that the State Pathologist and the local Coroner had been alerted after the incident.
An individual who is in his forties has been taken into custody and transported to a Garda Station in the city of Limerick. According to the words of the Gardaí, he is now being held in custody in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
An appeal for witnesses to appear “Anyone who was in the Watergate area of Limerick city on Thursday, July 10, 2025 between 11:15pm and 12am and who may have any information regarding the incident is asked to contact investigating Gardaí,” the Gardaí said. Watergate is located in Limerick city.
Additionally, the Gardai pleaded with “road users who were traveling in the area at the time and who had camera footage (including dash-cam footage) to make that footage available.”
If you have any information on this matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Gardaí at the Henry Street Garda Station (061) 212400, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
