Gardaí fear deceased Cork father of four knew his attackers

Detectives, who have now launched a murder investigation, also fear that the father-of-four may have been assaulted in his home several days before he was finally discovered by his care worker.

The murder investigation was launched once Gardai received the results of a post mortem examination conducted at Cork University Hospital (CUH) on Wednesday evening.

Mr Foley was found at lunchtime on Tuesday in a pool of blood at a property near a sheltered housing complex in Macroom, Co Cork.

He was discovered in the town centre house by his shocked care worker who went to check on him amid mounting concerns for his welfare.

Mr Foley, who was originally from Clonakilty, was found on the floor of the property with visible injuries to his head, neck and upper body.

Detectives are now investigating whether Mr Foley knew his attacker or attackers - and may have inadvertently allowed them entry to his home before he was then subjected to the violent attack.

Such were the severity of the injuries he suffered that it is believed the attack involved was quite prolonged and likely involved some kind of weapon.

There was no sign of forced entry to Mr Foley's home, no damage to doors or windows and no sign of a robbery.

His sisters, Mary and Ann - whose other brother Timmy (44) was murdered in October 2018 - said they were devastated by Michael's death.

"He was a gentleman. We just cannot believe this," his sister Ann said.

His sister Mary admitted they had been left shocked by the second tragedy to hit their family in the space of six years.

"We just cannot take it in - it is too much. We are heartbroken."

Both sisters said they were now praying that the Garda investigation will move swiftly and that the family will get answers as to the precise circumstances in which Michael died.

Michael's death is the second tragedy to hit the Foley family since 2018.

In 2018, Mr Foley's younger brother, Timmy, was murdered after being stabbed 28 times in a violent attack.

The brothers had been living in the Macroom area for a number of years.

Mr Foley had only been residing at the sheltered housing complex at Annville, Barrett's Place for 18 months.

Neighbour Tim Horgan said he was increasingly concerned for the welfare of Mr Foley after receiving no answer on Tuesday when he called to his Barrett's Place home to check on him.

Mr Horgan then met the local care worker and asked her to check on Mr Foley.

"I went up around 10am because I hadn't seen him for a couple of days. I knocked on the door and then the window but there was no sound," he said.

"I met his care worker coming up (the street)...she opened the door and she went in and saw him down on the floor. She said call the guards. We were shocked really."

The 61 year old was pronounced dead at the scene despite doctors and paramedics attending within minutes of the alarm being raised.

It is now believed he may have been dead for some time, possibly several days, before he was found.

The body of the man was transferred to the morgue at Cork University Hospital (CUH) where a full post mortem examination was conducted on Wednesday.

A Garda case conference will be held today to consider the post mortem findings and the status of their investigation.

Macroom Gardaí are now liaising with the State Pathologist's Office and the South Cork Coroner over the matter.