BREAKING: Fourth man arrested over Athlone murder

A fourth man has been arrested by gardai investigating the discovery of the body of a 23 year old man in Athlone on Friday night.

The man, who is aged in his 20s, is being detained for questioning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Athlone Garda Station.

Three men were arrested yesterday in relation in to the investigation. One of these remains in custody at Athlone Garda Station, while the two men who had been detained at Mullingar Garda Station have been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP.

The body of a 23 year old man was discovered partially submerged in water at the River Shannon at Bogganfin near the Athlone bypass bridge just before half past eight on Friday night.

The man is understood to be a Polish national living and working in the locality.

Yesterday gardai appealed for witnesses who may have been in the area between 6pm and 8pm on Friday and also for information in relation to a black BMW.

Supt Noreen McBrien yesterday appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

On Saturday, she said: “We are appealing for witnesses who have seen a black BMW in the vicinity of The Strand or the Llodys Lane area of Athlone between 6pm and 8pm yesterday evening. In addition we are also looking for witnesses in the Bogganfin area. For people who are not familiar with the area, this the area where the M6 crosses the river Shannon and we’re looking for anyone that could have seen anything suspicious there between the time of 6pm and 8pm yesterday evening,” said Supt McBrien.

A post mortem on the deceased man was carried out yesterday afternoon.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Athlone Garda Station on 090 6498550 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.