Man arrested over death of man (60s) at five-star Laois hotel is son of victim

Sarah Slater

A man who is being detained by gardaí over the death of a man aged in his 60s at a five-star Co Laois hotel is the son of the victim.

Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry following the fatal assault at the hotel pool of the luxury Ballyfin Demesne which occurred at around 8pm on Tuesday.

Garda sources have said that the detained American man, who is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, arrived at the hotel several days ago following a trip around mainland Europe.

The younger man had started to act erratically during his stay at the award-winning hotel and staff alerted his father who was in the US.

The deceased man arrived at the hotel in the last couple of days in an effort to help the man who is currently detained.

Concerned staff contacted the man’s father in New York, who travelled over to Ireland to be with him.

Once the detained man is cleared by doctors, gardaí will continue interviewing him when he is fit to do so.

A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed to support the family of the deceased.

The Laois Nationalist reports that prior to the arrival of the older man, hotel staff brought the man to hospital where he was given medication and released before returning to the hotel.

In a statement, gardai said that the services of the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist have been requested.

“A senior officer has also been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been set up at Portlaoise Garda Station,” the statement continued.

It is understood the man’s body is to be removed from the scene shortly and the area remains cordoned off.