MURDER PROBE: Three men remain in custody

Three men, aged in their late 20s/early 30s, who were arrested following the discovery of the body of a 23 year old man in Athlone last night remain in custody this evening, gardai have confirmed. 

The men were arrested in the early hours of this morning and are being detained for questiong at Athlone Garda Station and Mullingar Garda Station. 

Earlier this evening two of the three men arrested had their periods of detention extended by 12 hours. The third man remained in custody but his initial period of detention had not yet run out.

The body of a 23 year old man was discovered partially submerged in water at the River Shannon at Bogganfin near the Athlone bypass bridge just before half past eight last night.

The man is understood to be a Polish national living and working in the locality.

Earlier today gardai appealed for witnesses who may have been in the area between 6pm and 8pm yesterday and also for information in relation to a black BMW.

Supt Noreen McBrien this afternoon appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

“Gardai in Athlone are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body of a 23 year old male in the Athlone area yesterday evening.

“Three men have been arrested in relation to this crime. We are appealing for witnesses who have seen a black BMW in the vicinity of The Strand or the Llodys Lane area of Athlone between 6pm and 8pm yesterday evening. In addition we are also looking for witnesses in the Bogganfin area. For people who are not familiar with the area, this the area where the M6 crosses the river Shannon and we’re looking for anyone that could have seen anything suspicious there between the time of 6pm and 8pm yesterday evening,” said Supt McBrien.

A post mortem on the deceased man was carried out this afternoon. Asked about reports that the man had been thrown from the bridge, Supt McBrien said: “I cannot confirm that.”

Two of the three men arrested are being held at Mullingar Garda Station and one is being detained at Athlone Garda Station.