Tipperary murder victim hailed as kind-hearted man who promoted Ireland's railway heritage

Irish Independent

2 days ago

The tributes came as the funeral of the Iarnród Éireann worker and avid cyclist took place.
Hundreds attended the removal and funeral of the rail expert who was found stabbed in his Tipperary home over the August bank holiday weekend.
Mr Walsh had lain in repose at Hennessy's funeral home in Johnstown, Waterford, on Monday evening.
His funeral service then took place at the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy, Cork on Tuesday afternoon.
The Carrick-on-Suir native was hailed for his kindness to neighbours, workmates and fellow rail enthusiasts.
He ranked as one of Ireland's foremost experts on Ireland's railway network and heritage - and was generously willing to share his expertise with other rail enthusiasts, as well as tourism and heritage groups.
Mr Walsh is survived by his mother, Breda, his brother Paul and Paul's partner, Rachel, as well as his extended family.
He was predeceased by his father, Philip, and his grandparents.
Gardaí launched a murder investigation after it was confirmed that Mr Walsh died from stab injuries in his Carrick-on-Suir home.
His body was discovered in the early hours of August 4.
Blood spatter evidence inside the Carrick-on-Suir house indicated that Mr Walsh was first stabbed in one room - and then desperately tried to either raise the alarm or escape his attacker.
A blood trail led to a second room where his body was later discovered.
One theory being pursued by Gardaí is that the killer may have been known to Mr Walsh.
Forensic evidence is now expected to prove crucial in the case.
Gardaí upgraded their investigation into the death of Mr Walsh to a murder probe following the results of a post-mortem examination at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).
The post-mortem examination was conducted at UHW by Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Yvonne McCarthy.
"Preliminary results have been provided to the investigation team. These details are not being released for operational reasons. Following the post-mortem, An Garda Síochána has commenced a murder investigation," a garda spokesperson confirmed.
Sources indicated that Mr Walsh died from stab injuries to his torso.
He also had injuries to his arm which may be indicative of defensive wounds.
Mr Walsh was discovered lying in a pool of blood in a ground floor room at the property.
The deceased lived at the house - just off the Callan Road in Carrick-on-Suir - for a number of years.
His family also live in the Carrick-on-Suir area.
Mr Walsh worked for Iarnród Éireann for over 30 years.
Over recent times, he had qualified as a bus driver and was working part-time in the coach business in the south east.
He had worked as a signaller at Kent Station in Cork.
Mr Walsh was a lifelong rail enthusiast and boasted numerous friends within Irish Rail and Irish railway societies.
Friends hailed him as one of the most knowledgeable officials in respect of Ireland's rail heritage - and how to use the rail network for tour groups.
Locals expressed shock at his death - and hailed him as someone who was known and respected in rail circles from Dublin to Cork and Waterford.
He was also very involved in sports and was said locally to be a keen cyclist and walker, careful to maintain his own fitness.
The Garda Technical Bureau conducted a full forensic examination of the property in a bid to garner clues as to the identity of the attacker.
Door-to-door inquiries are being conducted to determine the last known movements of Mr Walsh.
Officers are also keen to determine if anyone heard or saw anything suspicious in the area over the previous 76 hours.
Gardaí are also checking CCTV security camera footage from residential properties and businesses in the town and area to determine any movements to and from Cregg Road.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Walsh by rail heritage and tourism groups.
Iarnród Éireann said they were shocked at his death.
"Ian was a well known and popular colleague across the company, both in his working life in roles from catering to signalling, and for his passion for railway and transport tourism and heritage," a company spokesperson said.
"Our thoughts are with his family, and his friends in the railway and beyond, at this difficult time."
Táilte Tours said Mr Walsh had been of enormous support to them over the years - and had run several rail heritage tours of his own.
"He had a wonderful knowledge of the Iarnród Éireann system and its people, and had also developed a passion for Bus Éireann operations, diligently recording the last runs on several rural routes in the south east as they disappeared, quickly becoming a friend to bus drivers in the Cork and Waterford areas."