Murder victim was 'devoted' father-of-five
A garda outside the house in St Francis Avenue in Cork where the body of John Hyland was found on Saturday afternoon with multiple stab wounds. A murder inquiry has been launched
A MURDERED father-of-five who was found stabbed to death at his home over the weekend was yesterday remembered as a devoted husband and family man.
A murder inquiry was launched after the body of John Hyland (69) was discovered in an upstairs bedroom of his Cork city home by his wife Maeve at 1pm on Saturday.
Mr Hyland, who had incurred multiple stab wounds, was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor.
A man is expected to be interviewed by gardai in the coming weeks as detectives follow a definite line of inquiry. Garda sources were anxious yesterday to reassure locals they should not be concerned for their own personal safety as this was an isolated incident.
Babysitting
It is understood Mrs Hyland had spent the previous night babysitting one of her grandchildren and had returned to find her husband stabbed to death at their home in St Francis Avenue near University College Cork.
Tributes poured in yesterday for the retired accountant as relatives, neighbours and friends attempted to come to terms with the tragedy.
Fianna Fail councillor Mary Shields, who lives in nearby Bishopstown, said the people of College Road and surrounding areas were terribly saddened by the news.
"He and his wife Maeve are really so good and giving. Just nice people. I think everybody has sympathy for the family and for John's brother Jim and his wife Eileen. It is very sad and everybody is very shocked at this time."
One local woman, who declined to be named, said Mr Hyland would be remembered as a decent person who dedicated his life to his family.
"He was a lovely man. I would often see him going down to Mass in the Poor Clares (church). Maeve has done a lot of work for the Special Olympics over the years. Everything would be (about) the family.
"They have twin daughters with disabilities and people would know them," she said.
Yesterday, Frances Kavanagh, acting CEO of Special Olympics Ireland, said she was saddened to hear of the death of Mr Hyland and passed on her condolences to his wife Maeve on behalf of the organisation.
A post-mortem was conducted yesterday afternoon by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy at Cork University Hospital (CUH). It indicated that Mr Hyland died of stab wounds.
Mr Hyland's body was removed from the scene at around 10pm on Saturday night and brought to CUH for a post mortem.
Funeral arrangements will be made in the coming days.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact them at an incident room which has been set up at Togher Garda Station on 021 49 47 120.
- Olivia Kelleher
