Gardaí believe Limerick pensioner Michael Hayes was beaten with vodka bottle before his death
Mr Hayes was resuscitated by paramedics and taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where he was pronounced dead in the early hours of Friday morning. It is believed he suffered serious head injuries.
A man in his 40s who was known to Mr Hayes, but who is not related to him, was arrested by gardaí on Friday morning.
The man was being questioned by gardaí under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Gardaí believe Mr Hayes was assaulted and beaten with a vodka bottle that was wrapped in a bag.
Gardaí were following a number of lines of enquiry, including that Mr Hayes may have gone to investigate loud noises outside his home when he was attacked.
The results of a post mortem, that was to be conducted by the office of the State Pathologist, will determine the next course of the Garda investigation, sources said.
Mr Hayes's niece, Tracy Coleman, said: 'It is shocking, because he was a really lovely man, and he would always go out of his way and do whatever do you.'
'There are no words to describe it, a lovely man doing his own thing, and his life just gone now like that.
'He was a young man for his age, everyday he was always going for walks.'
One of Mr Hayes's neighbours, Geraldine Costello, paid tribute to him.
'Michael was a lovely boy, he'd always go out of his way to do a good turn for you,' she said.
'His dog, Daisy, is crying all the time because Michael is not there.
'I was only talking to him yesterday, I'm after getting an awful shock.
'I was very fond of him, I'm a good friend of his, I've known him since I was young and I'm very sorry that he is gone.'
It's understood Mr Hayes lived alone and has a number of grown-up children.
Mr Hayes, who lived near the Milk Market, was known as a gentle and respectful man who kept to himself but was always willing to lend a hand.
'He was a quiet man,' one friend said of the elderly man. 'He minded my dog when I had to be away, took very good care of her.'
A close neighbour stated: 'People here are devastated. My family are shocked. He was good to everyone around here.'
Gardaí have launched a full-scale investigation led by a senior investigating officer.
A Garda tape cordon was placed around a large section around apartments at the scene, which is located between St Michael's Street, Ellen Street and Mungret Street in the city.
Detectives were harvesting any CCTV footage in the area and carrying out house-to-house enquiries.
Gardaí appealed for anyone who was in the area on Thursday evening who may have information or who may have footage to come forward.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Gardaí at Henry Street Garda Station (061) 212400, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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