Detectives in Sligo are searching for those who tied up and viciously beat a local man, before leaving him to die.

67-year old Eugene Gillespie was assaulted in his own home in Sligo town in what has been described as “a vicious attack”.

It was up to two days before Mr Gillespie was found and taken to Sligo General Hospital on Friday night, where he later died.

Eugene Gillespie – a former telephone switchboard operator and vintage car enthusiast – lived alone on one of Sligo’s oldest streets.

Gardai believe he opened the door to his killer, or killers, before what they describe as “an aggravated burglary”.

It’s understood his jaw was broken in the attack, and his hands were tied.

Gardai believe the aggravated burglary took place between 9pm last Wednesday night and 9pm Friday night, when Mr Gillespie was found.

He died the following evening at Sligo General Hospital.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a postmortem on the body at University College Hospital Galway yesterday.

Neighbours have described the victim as a gentleman, who always had a kind word for everyone.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious around the Old Market Street area of Sligo town between 9pm last Wednesday and 9pm on Friday to contact them on 071-9157000, or any Garda station.