Man may have lain dead in West Cork apartment for several months

THE body of a man that was discovered in an apartment in Castletownbere, West Cork on Wednesday may have been there for several months according to gardaí.

The deceased has been confirmed as Mark Watters, 61 who was originally from west Dublin but had been living on the Beara Peninsula for several years. 

Mr Watters’ body was discovered in the hallway of his flat at the Courtyard apartment building by maintenance workers on Wednesday afternoon.

Gardaí were called and sealed off the scene to carry out a preliminary investigation. 

There was no indication of forced entry to the apartment and Mr Watters’ body showed no signs of injury or trauma. The body was removed to Cork University Hospital where a postmortem will be carried out which it is hoped will be able to provide an estimate of when he died.

Investigating gardaí are carrying out local enquiries as well as examining mobile phone data, CCTV footage and looking at Mr Watters’ financial and social media accounts to try to establish when he was last seen alive. His former partner and adult son live abroad and he is understood to also have a sister living in the UK.

A Garda spokesperson told The Echo that foul play is not suspected at the moment.

Social Democrats councillor for West Cork Chris Heinhold told The Echo, “While it’s sad to hear of the death of anyone in our community, the thought of someone passing away and remaining undiscovered is especially heartbreaking.

“It is so important that we look out for one another; the elderly of course, but also everyone else. Check in on your neighbours if you can. Often you’re the only person in a position to do so.” 

Independent councillor Karen Coakley said, “Such a sad scenario, deepest condolences to his family and friends.

“I fear for communities and society when such a tragedy can happen in one of the most beautiful and tranquil parts of the country.

She called for people to be more vigilant and look out for one another, saying, “It’s so important to link in with neighbours and this awful situation highlights the importance of communication.”

Local people in Castletownbere were shocked to hear that Mr Watters’ body may have lain undiscovered in his apartment since December. In one local pub the bartender told The Echo that the discovery was all that customers were talking about.

She said: “I hadn’t heard the news but when I came in to start my shift it’s what everybody was taking about. Nobody seems to have known him, he seems to have kept himself to himself. It’s very sad to think he wasn’t missed.” 

Another local woman added, “There are so many strangers here now that you just don’t know everyone the way you used to. It’s very sad that a man could just disappear like that.” Local councillor Danny Collins said: “It’s a sad way to go if you knew him or not, may he rest in peace.”