Murder hunt after Athlone man dies in Navan

Gardai in Navan investigating the murder of Athlone native Martin O'Gorman say they are "very hopeful" that their inquiries will yield results. The 63-year old from Battery Road, Athlone died on Sunday last in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, almost a week after being found unconscious on Academy Street in Navan following a vicious assault in the early hours of Monday, June 21 last. It's thought the Mr O'Gorman, who worked in the local family business Midland Crane Hire Ltd, received head injuries during the attack involving up to four people after spending some time socialising in the town, having earlier attended the Meath versus Laois football match in Tullamore. Gardai yesterday (Monday) upgraded the investigation to a murder after a post-mortem examination found Mr O'Gorman, who is a bachelor and comes from a highly respected and well known family in the town, died from the injuries sustained in the assault. Superintendent Michael Devine said that local CCTV had yielded "some satisfactory results" in their search for the gang that attacked the Athlone man, known to his friends as 'Mairt'. No arrests have been made so far as gardai search for a gang of four young people, two of whom are thought to be female. They are also examining his mobile phone records to try and track his exact movements on the night. It's believed that Martin had left a nearby bar and was walking towards a 24-hour garage when he passed a group of people thought to be at a house party on Academy Street. He was later found next to the kerb by a local taxi driver at around 12.30am. Another local taxi driver came to the scene but nether men could revive him. He was later taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Navan, before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where he died on Sudnay afternoon, almost week after the assault. Supt Devine hailed the "heroic efforts" of the ambulance workers who arrived on the scene saying they "worked wonders to keep him with us" and urged anyone with information in relation to the murder to come forward. Since Monday, flowers have been placed at the scene of the assault by his devastated family and locals who have been left reeling by the horrific crime. Described by those who knew him as a quiet, lovable, unassuming individual who wouldn't harm a fly, Mr O'Gorman went to school in Gormanstown College in Meath and regularly visited relatives there. An avid GAA fan, he followed the exploits of Meath footballers up and down the country travelling regularly from his home in Athlone. From a highly respected and well liked local family, the O'Gormans have a long association with the building trade. Mr O'Gorman's father John was one of the region's biggest builders in 1960s and 1970s and was also involved in a number of prominent local hotels at different times. In recent years, the family are better known for their business Midland Crane Hire Ltd. Local people in Athlone have this week expressed their shock that such a nice, quiet men died in this way and many have been left reeling by the horrific crime. Mr O'Gorman is survived by his two brothers Dermot and Paschal, and many nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. There are no funeral arrangements at this stage but Mr O'Gorman is expected to be buried next week following funeral mass in the Church of Saint Peter and Paul's Church, Athlone.