LAST UPDATE | 1 Jan

GARDAÍ HAVE LAUNCHED a murder investigation following the discovery of a man’s body in Co Wexford.

The deceased, named locally as 58-year-old John King O’Connor, was found unresponsive at a house in New Ross just after 11am yesterday morning.

He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Two men in their 30s were arrested in connection with the incident, but one of them has since been released and is no longer being held in connection with this investigation.

However, the second man remains in Garda custody and he is detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region.

The house in New Ross has been preserved for technical and forensic examination, and it is believed that Mr O’Connor may have been assaulted before he died.

An examination of the scene is ongoing by the Garda Technical Bureau.

A post-mortem examination was carried out by the State Pathologist earlier today and preliminary results have been provided to the investigating team.

While details of these results are not being released for operational purposes, gardaí have commenced a murder investigation following the post-mortem.

A senior investigating officer is leading the investigation from the incident room at New Ross Garda Station and a family liaison officer continues to provide support to the family.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them and are seeking any available camera footage, including dashcam recordings, from those who were in the vicinity of Cluain Fada, New Ross at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426030 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

A garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing.