Suspect in Clones death has fled over the border, gardai fear

Gardaí are expected to launch a homicide investigation into the death of 46-year-old Mykola Dernovi. The results of a post-mortem are awaited.

It is suspected that Mr Dernovi was the victim of a sustained and vicious assault on Saturday night in Clones.

Although no arrests have been made in relation to the incident, sources confirmed that a chief suspect has been identified.

However gardai now believe that the suspect, a man who is known to Mr Dernovi, may have left the jurisdiction and headed across the border to the North.

Mr Dernovi was an Ukrainian who had been living in Ireland for some time, it is understood.

One line of enquiry is that he suffered a heart attack after an attack at a flat in the Diamond area of Clones, Co Monaghan

Speaking on Sunday, Sinn Féin Councillor for Clones Pat Treanor said the news had shocked those in the area.

“Since the news was coming through last night, the people of the town are shocked to hear of this tragic incident,” Cllr Treanor said.

“Some family is suffering a loss and there would be great empathy with the family,” he added.

The discovery of the body in the Co Monaghan town was made shortly after 10pm on Saturday.

Gardaí were alerted to the scene of the fatality by ambulance personnel who had responded to an emergency call.

“The victim in this case suffered a very bad beating and the scene was fairly harrowing when emergency services arrived at the property,” a source said.

“Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body in Clones, Co Monaghan on the night of Saturday, June 1,” a Garda spokesperson told the Irish Independent.