GARDAÍ HAVE LAUNCHED a murder investigation into the death of a man who was found in Mallow on Thursday.

The man has since been identified as Paul O’Connor. The 56-year-old was from Connolly Road in Ballyphehane, Cork City.

His body was discovered on the banks of the river Blackwater at a townland known as Ballyellis, which is on the edge of Mallow Town.

A post-mortem has been carried out and gardaí said they won’t release the results for operational reasons. However, it is understood that he suffered gunshot wounds.

Gardaí are interested in speaking with anyone who was on the train between Kent Train Station and Mallow Train Station, arriving in Mallow shortly after 7.20pm on Thursday.

They also want to speak with anyone who was near Mallow town or the banks of the river between 7.20pm on Wednesday 14 October and 1.30pm on Thursday 15 October 2026 who may have seen O’Connor.

Any road users or pedestrians who were in the area and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station on (022) 31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

With reporting by Olivia Kelleher.