Gardai have slammed the “disrespectful and upsetting” of some social media users after the fatal assault of 47-year-old Paul ‘Babs’ Connollly.
In a statement, gardai said they are aware of images of the incident, which took place on Church Street, Athlone, in the early hours of Saturday morning, being circulated on social media.
A garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána is aware that images of the incident on Church Street are being shared across social media and messaging apps.
“An Garda Síochána appeals to everybody NOT to share this material, it is disrespectful and upsetting to the family and friends of the deceased and all persons involved in this incident and is unhelpful to the Garda investigation.”
Mr Connolly, from Edenderry, Co Offaly was discovered with serious injuries following the public order incident.
He had been on a stag in Athlone prior to the fatal assault.
Mr Connolly was taken to Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, but sadly died a short time later.
A 19-year-old man and a man in his 30s were arrested by officers yesterday evening.
Gardaí have said they are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the public order incident.
A post mortem has been completed, the results of which are not being released for operational reasons.
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