POLICE IN SCOTLAND have launched an investigation into the murder of an Irishman on the street outside his home in Glasgow over the weekend.

William McKeevey, a lorry driver from Malin Head in Donegal, was attacked by two men on Melville Street, Pollokshields, on Sunday.

Police say that the 57-year-old, who had moved to Scotland five years ago, was subjected to a “sustained and violent” attack as he returned from a night out, reports the BBC.

McKeevey was taken to the Victoria Infirmary where he died from his injuries.

McKeevey’s partner heard the disturbance from the couple’s ground floor flat but did not realise he was being attacked, RTÉ reports.

The police officer leading the inquiry, Det Ch Insp David Gailey, said: “Mr McKeeney suffered massive injuries to his head and body in what can only be described as a brutal and sustained attack.”

“To speculate on a motive at this time is completely unhelpful, and indeed may hinder our investigation, however, we are keeping an open mind as to why it happened,” he added.

Gailey described McKeevey as a “popular man who was ready to help anyone he could”.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular support to his family.