Gardai investigate if homeless chef Timothy Hourihane was followed before brutal murder in Co Cork

Gardai investigating the brutal murder of a homeless man are probing if he was followed and targeted by assailants.

Timothy Hourihane, 53, was the victim of a sustained assault at Mardyke Walk close to University College Cork.

A tent, which had been his home, was ablaze and firefighters found him unconscious nearby at around 12.45am on Sunday.

He was rushed to Cork University Hospital but was later pronounced dead.

Gardai are trawling through CCTV footage and have sought dash-cam footage from drivers in the area.

Timothy Hourihane who was murdered at Mardyke Walk, Cork (Provision)

One theory being Mr Hourihane was followed and then attacked.

Supt Michael Comyns, who is leading the investigation has appealed for witnesses. He said: “We are also appealing to motorists who may have passed through Mardyke Walk between 11pm last Saturday night and 1am on Sunday morning to make dash-cam footage available to us.

“There are a number of guest houses in the area with visitors to the city staying last night and we would ask anyone who saw or heard anything, no matter how insignificant, to come forward.”

Bernard O’ Hehir, who has spoken out about the homelessness situation in Cork, and increasing violence on the streets, said: “I knew Timothy very well. I met him through Penny Dinners five or six years ago.

The scene of a serious assault of a homeless man at the Mardyke in Cork city. (Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision)

“He was an absolute legend, a bit flamboyant but no matter what the situation was he was one of those guys that kept everyone else’s spirits up.” He was always dancing and singing and trying to make everyone else smile.

“There wasn’t a bad word to be said about him. Don’t know anybody that could have wanted to hurt him.”

Timothy, known as Timmy to friends, had been attacked and hospitalised on a number of occasions and feared for his safety.

Superintendent Michael Comyns, Serious Crime Investigation, Anglesea Street Garda Station. (Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision)

He was a father of one and was originally from the Sheep’s Head peninsula in Co Cork.

In 2017 he was interviewed by radio presenter Neil Prendeville on RedFM and claimed that he had been attacked three times while living on the streets

He said: “Wandering around, basically around the whole city, trying to find somewhere where can I sleep tonight, is it going to be safe?

“In Cork – in most places in Cork – it’s not safe in the city centre.”