LAST UPDATE | 22 Jun 2019

GARDAÍ IN WEST Cork are investigating the death of a retired member of the force, whose body was found in the early hours of this morning near his home in Glandore.

The body of the 57 year-old was found on a roadside at around 1.30am today.

The man was understood to have been socialising yesterday evening in a pub in the village, before he left the pub to walk home.

Emergency services were contacted by a passing motorist who spotted a body on the road, and the area was sealed off.

Gardaí are keeping an open mind about the passing of the popular and respected former garda. A post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation.

Investigators are probing the possibility that the man could have been the victim of a hit and run.

There is also speculation that he could possibly have fallen and hit his head on the road.

Garda forensic accident investigators are examining the road in a bid to determine what occurred.

A source said: “We are investigating all possible scenarios but the course the investigation goes will be determined by the results of the postmortem.”

The State Pathologist has been notified in and a postmortem will take place tomorrow.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have travelled through, or been in the vicinity of Glandore village between midnight and 2am this morning to come forward.

They are also appealing to anyone who may have observed any pedestrians in the area, and have asked anyone with information to contact Clondakilty Garda Station on 023 882 1570.

With reporting from Stephen McDermott.