Fatal stabbing fear over 'real gentleman' Ian

GARDAI have launched an investigation after this bus driver was found dead in a pool of blood in his own home.

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE, Crime and Defence Editor

And officers probing the death of Ian Walsh - whose body was found at his home in Co Tipperary in the early hours of yesterday morning - now suspect he may have lain dead for several days.

A source told us: "He may have been dead for some time. He was not seen for a few days."

Gardai now fear Mr Walsh, 49, was the victim of an assault and may have been stabbed.

Mr Walsh, who spent most of his adult life working for Irish Rail before becoming a bus driver in recent years, was found dead by relatives at his home in Carrick-on-Suir at around 3.30am yesterday.

The relatives are understood to have gone to his house in the Cregg Road area of the town because they had had no contact from him and were worried.

It’s understood they also called gardai to the scene - who entered the house with them and also made the grim find.

Sources confirmed the popular Mr Walsh, who was known as Squinty to his friends, was found in a pool of blood.

It's also understood he had several injuries, something which makes gardai suspect he was the victim of a violent assault.

But sources have stressed that a post mortem, due to take place later today, will determine the cause of death and whether the case is to be upgraded to murder.

DISCOVERY