LAST UPDATE | 27 Oct 2022

TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to a man who was killed at a house in Westmeath.

The discovery of the body of Stefan Posschier, also known as Stefan DeGuylian, has led gardaí to believe he was murdered and they are now following a definite line of enquiry in their investigation.

Posschier, originally from Belgium but who had been living in the Mullingar area for a number of years, was aged in his 60s and had been working as a psychic medium in Ireland. Local councillor John Shaw told RTÉ Radio One there was “anger” in the area following the discovery.

“There’s certainly a deep sense of shock that in a very quiet rural area that something like this could happen and someone could be found in these sort of circumstances,” he said.

While not knowing him personally,  Shaw said Posshier was “remembered quite fondly as a good character and quite a popular man” by locals who knew him over the years.

The deceased was found was found in what officially gardaí had stated were “unexplained circumstances” at a house in Rattin, near Milltownpass.

It is understood that forensic examinations of the scene have determined that he was killed in a violent assault.

He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time after the discovery at 6pm Tuesday evening.

Sources have said that gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry.

A post-mortem examination was conducted yesterday by State Pathologist Dr. Linda Mulligan at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.

A garda spokesperson said the results are not being released for operational reasons.

“An incident room has been established at Mullingar Garda Station and the investigation is being carried out under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer,” the spokesperson said.

“A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed and continues to keep the family informed of the investigation.

“Investigating Gardaí at Mullingar would like to speak to any person that met with or saw Stefan or interacted with him on social media on the days prior to the discovery of his body on the afternoon of Tuesday 25 October 2022.”

Investigating Gardaí can be contacted at the incident room in Mullingar Garda Station on 044 9384000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or through any Garda Station.