Tributes have been paid to the prominent Co Donegal businessman found dead at his home following an assault yesterday.<\/p>\n
Married father of two, Stephen McCahill, who was in his 60s, was described as a huge part of the community of Ard an R\u00e1tha, where he lived.<\/p>\n
He was a well-known local businessman, auctioneer and publican in Ard an R\u00e1tha.<\/p>\n
People attending mass in the village this morning described their deep sense of shock at his death.<\/p>\n
Among those who also paid tribute was singer Imelda May.<\/p>\n
In a social media post, she said she had been in his company recently and said she was “heartbroken”.<\/p>\n
She described Mr McCahill as the “glue” to the whole community of Ard an R\u00e1tha.<\/p>\n
We need your consent to load this facebook-post contentWe use facebook-post to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences<\/a><\/p>\n Ms May said that Mr McCahill was a special man who encouraged live music and joy at his pub.<\/p>\n Locals have been leaving flowers at the family pub in the centre of the village.<\/p>\n A 30-year-old man who was arrested in the area following the assault remains in garda custody.<\/p>\n Emergency services responded to reports of an assault at a home outside the town of Ard an R\u00e1tha in the early hours of yesterday morning and Mr McCahill was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n The man in his 30s was arrested at a second location and is being detained at a garda station in Co Donegal.<\/p>\n A father of two, Mr McCahill was named as Donegal Person of the Year in 2016.<\/p>\n He stood as an Independent candidate in Donegal South West in the 2011 general election.<\/p>\n