Tributes have been paid to the prominent Co Donegal businessman found dead at his home following an assault yesterday.
Married father of two, Stephen McCahill, who was in his 60s, was described as a huge part of the community of Ard an Rátha, where he lived.
He was a well-known local businessman, auctioneer and publican in Ard an Rátha.
People attending mass in the village this morning described their deep sense of shock at his death.
Among those who also paid tribute was singer Imelda May.
In a social media post, she said she had been in his company recently and said she was “heartbroken”.
She described Mr McCahill as the “glue” to the whole community of Ard an Rátha.
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Ms May said that Mr McCahill was a special man who encouraged live music and joy at his pub.
Locals have been leaving flowers at the family pub in the centre of the village.
A 30-year-old man who was arrested in the area following the assault remains in garda custody.
Emergency services responded to reports of an assault at a home outside the town of Ard an Rátha in the early hours of yesterday morning and Mr McCahill was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man in his 30s was arrested at a second location and is being detained at a garda station in Co Donegal.
A father of two, Mr McCahill was named as Donegal Person of the Year in 2016.
He stood as an Independent candidate in Donegal South West in the 2011 general election.
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Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 9858 530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Parish priest of Ard an Rátha, Fr Aodhan Cannon, described the mood of the community.
“Words just can’t describe the situation here at the moment, it’s just awful. People are stunned, shocked and carrying a terrible grief,” he said.
“There’s a line in the prophet Isaiah to say there’s a mourning veil covering all people, and there’s certainly a mourning veil covering this parish today and this wider community as well, because of Stephen’s untimely death.”
Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher, who has known Mr McCahill for 40 years, said he had been “central to all that happened” in the village and further afield.