A young man was beaten to death in a “drugs den” flat and his body left decomposing for over a week as others came and went before it was discovered by gardai.
The investigation into the death of Tony Dempsey, 28, was last night upgraded to a murder probe following a post mortem.
A major line of inquiry is that he was targeted in a row over drugs but gardai say they are keeping an open mind.
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His body was found inside the ground floor property in Kevin Barry House, Coleraine Street in Dublin’s north inner city on Monday evening. Gardai were called by residents voicing concern over the activity in the home.
When he was discovered by gardai, Dempsey had severe head injuries but no identification was able to be made initially due to the body’s decomposition.
Following a post mortem yesterday, he was identified and the results of the examination saw the probe upgraded to murder.
Locals yesterday said they could smell the strong “stench” from the property in the days running up to the find. And the odour remained there yesterday while the Garda Technical Bureau examined the scene.
Sources say this particular flat was being used by drug users for crack cocaine consumption among other drugs and residents had raised concerns for some time.
One said: “The flat was a drugs den for people who were coming and going so there’s any number of people who could have been there within the last week or so.”
Another source said: “The victim had horrendous head injuries that were inflicted. A row over drugs and personal disputes are being looked at but it’s wide open at this stage.”
Gardai are trying to establish when Dempsey entered the flat and who else was in the flat over the period the body was there.
They will look to interview each of them.
Dempsey was from Basin Street flat complex in Dublin 8 and was not living in the property, but had been seen there in recent times.
The victim was well-known to gardai as a result of his troubled childhood and had been placed in care several times.
He had nearly 50 convictions for a range of offences including criminal damage, public order, misuse of drugs and assault and served several stints in prison.
Charity Peter McVerry Trust yesterday confirmed that they managed the property under the Housing First programme for Dublin City Council.
The tenant, a woman, was successfully accommodated in the property over eighteen months ago, it said.
The statement read: “Unfortunately, the tenancy began to break down over recent months as the tenant was struggling to manage the front door and individuals, who had no interest in the property or the tenant’s recovery, were gaining entry to and using the property.
“Steps were actively taken to support the client to surrender the tenancy with a view to being supported in another tenancy elsewhere.
“This process was being carried out in line with the rights of the tenant. PMVT also increased staff visits to the property.”
Staff from the charity had been visiting the property over the last week but were unaware of the body.
Dempsey was not a client of the charity but its CEO yesterday passed on his condolences.
Pat Doyle said: “We’re saddened at the loss of a young life and wish to express our sympathies to the family of the deceased.
“Staff visited the property daily, including over the weekend, and they had no indication or evidence that someone was deceased at the property or in the vicinity.
“Housing First helps some of the most vulnerable in our society. 86% of the tenancies under Housing First are successful, but unfortunately this was one of the 14% which was clearly failing over recent months.”
“Peter McVerry Trust is fully cooperating with the Garda and is mindful of the impact on our own staff who deal with very complex situations on a daily basis, on the tenant whose tenancy has been ruptured, and on the broader community.”
But locals fumed yesterday that it has come to a body being found after they had raised multiple concerns.
One local told us: “It’s a disgrace. If you go into that complex, most people are hard working and trying to raise families.
“But each one of us have been making calls over that flat for months. There was drug users coming in and out all day every day. And nothing was done about it.
“It’s just shocking that it has come to this for the issue to come to light. All of us here have been living with it. And now a poor man is dead.”
Last night, relatives and friends of Dempsey paid tribute to the young man.
One said: “RIP Toe. Back in your mama and Chloe’s arms. Watch over everyone in our family.”
Another wrote: “Can’t believe Tony Dempsey is gone on us. I only found out not long ago. Ah rest in peace Tony too young to die.”
One other relative shared a reel of pictures of Dempsey and said: “No words. Broken hearted Toe. We love you. Why is life so cruel Gardai confirmed a murder probe yesterday evening as they continued to preserve the scene.
A spokesman said: “The scene remains preserved and a technical examination is ongoing by the Garda Technical Bureau.
“The body of the male was removed to the City Morgue, Whitehall, and a post mortem is being conducted this afternoon by State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster.
“Investigating Gardaí are appealing for anyone with any information in relation to this matter to contact Bridewell Garda Station on 01 6668200,
the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
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