Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6526Murder · Co. Cork

Daniel Hourigan charged with murder of Michael Foley in Macroom

Michael Foley (61), a father of four, was found dead at his home in the Annville Sheltered Housing Complex in Macroom, Co Cork, on 6 February 2024, and the murder is alleged to have happened between 31 January and 1 February. On 14 February 2024 Gardaí arrested a man and a woman, both in their 30s, at a property in Cork city, and the woman was later released without charge. On 16 February 2024 Daniel Hourigan (31) was charged with Mr Foley's murder, made no reply under caution, and was remanded in custody by Bandon District Court. He is due to appear by video link at Clonakilty District Court on 20 February.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested14 Feb
    3 reports
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Feb
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Michael Foley, 61, a father of four, was found dead at his home in Macroom, Co Cork, on 6 February 2024.
Where
Mr Foley lived alone in a chalet flat at the Annville Sheltered Housing Complex in Macroom.
When
  • Mr Foley was found at about 1pm on 6 February, and the murder is alleged to have happened between 31 January and 1 February 2024.
  • A postmortem indicated that he may have lain dead for several days before a care worker found his body.
Cause
One report says he had severe head injuries and stab wounds, while another says he died from blunt force trauma to the head after being beaten.
Weapon
Gardaí believe a weapon may have been used in the attack.
Investigation
  • There were no signs of a break-in or burglary, and detectives believe Mr Foley let his attackers into the home.
  • Gardaí believe at least one of the arrested people was known to Mr Foley and are probing whether he was attacked after a row with someone he knew.
  • On 14 February 2024 Gardaí arrested a man and a woman, both in their 30s, at a property in Cork city and detained them under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
  • The woman was released without charge, and a file will go to the DPP.
Charges
Daniel Hourigan (31) was charged with the murder of Michael Foley in Macroom and made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution at Bandon Garda Station; one report puts the time at 11.18am on Friday 16 February, while another says that was the time of his arrest for the purpose of charging him.
In court
  • Mr Hourigan appeared before Bandon District Court on 16 February 2024, was remanded in custody, and was ordered to receive medical attention in custody.
  • Mr Hourigan is due to appear by video link at Clonakilty District Court on 20 February.
Other details
Mr Foley had lived in the sheltered accommodation for about a year and was buried in St Mary's Cemetery in Clonakilty.
56 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMichael Foley, 61, was murdered at his home in Macroom, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí are questioning a man and woman over the death of Michael Foley. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatTwo people were arrested as Gardaí continue their investigation into the death of a man in Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatA murder probe was launched after the body of 61-year-old Michael Foley was found at his home in Macroom. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatMichael Foley was a 61-year-old father of four. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMichael Foley was found with head and other injuries. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMr Foley was living in a chalet flat at the Annville Sheltered Housing complex in Macroom. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMichael Foley was found at his flat in the Anville housing complex in Macroom. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereA man and a woman, both in their 30s, were arrested at a property in Cork city. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereMichael Foley was found dead in a sheltered living apartment complex in Macroom. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at Annville Sheltered Housing Complex in Macroom. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr Foley was found at about 1pm on February 6th. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenA postmortem found Mr Foley had been dead for at least a number of days before he was found. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMichael Foley was found dead at his home in Macroom on Tuesday 6 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMichael Foley may have lain dead for several days before a care worker found his body. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • whenMichael Foley was found deceased at his home on Tuesday 6 February 2024. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe arrests took place on 14 February 2024. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenMichael Foley was found dead on February 6. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe murder is alleged to have happened on a date between January 31st and February 1st, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMichael Foley was found on the kitchen floor of his chalet at 1pm on February 6th. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeMr Foley was found with severe head injuries and stab wounds on his kitchen floor. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeMichael Foley died from blunt force trauma to the head. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeMichael Foley had been beaten to death. (irishmirror.ie, corkbeo.ie)
  • causeThere were no signs of a break-in, and detectives believe the victim let his killers into the home. (corkbeo.ie)
  • weaponA weapon may have been used on Michael Foley. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have arrested a man and a woman in connection with the murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe pair, both in their 30s, were detained at an address in Cork city for questioning. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe pair were taken to Bandon Garda station and held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí found no signs of a break-in at the home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found no sign of a burglary at the home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are probing the theory that Michael Foley was attacked after a row with someone he knew. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe two suspects, both in their 30s, were arrested in a property in Cork City. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe suspects are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in County Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí appealed for anyone with information to contact Macroom Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe arrested people are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at a Garda station in County Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí believe at least one of the arrested people was known to the victim. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have not yet released the post-mortem results for operational reasons. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationA murder investigation was launched after a postmortem at Cork University Hospital by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA woman in her thirties arrested in connection with the death was released without charge, and a file will go to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Daniel Hourigan in Bandon at 11.18am to charge him with murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA woman arrested in Cork City for questioning about the murder was released without charge. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDaniel Hourigan was charged with the murder of Michael Foley in the town of Macroom. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeDaniel Hourigan made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution at Bandon Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeDaniel Hourigan was charged with the murder of Michael Foley. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHourigan made no reply when the charge was put to him. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDaniel Hourigan appeared before Bandon District Court charged in connection with the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDaniel Hourigan was remanded in custody to appear before Clonakilty District Court on February 20. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDaniel Hourigan will appear by video link when next before the court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Bandon District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHourigan was remanded in custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHourigan was remanded to appear again at Clonakilty District Court by video-link. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Foley lived alone. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Foley was buried in St Mary's Cemetery in Clonakilty. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAt least one of the arrested pair was known to Michael Foley. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMichael Foley had lived in the sheltered accommodation for about a year and was found dead by a care worker checking on his welfare. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe court ordered that Daniel Hourigan receive medical attention in custody. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Feb2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Macroom death: Daniel Hourigan (31) charged with murder of Michael Foley

    First report of the charge. Hourigan was arrested in Bandon, charged and remanded in custody, with a further court date at Clonakilty District Court by video-link. A woman arrested for questioning was released without charge.

    victim, Michael Foley, 61, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Foleyaccused, Daniel Hourigan, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Hourigansuspect, female
  2. 16 Feb2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man charged with murder of father of four Michael Foley

    First report of the case. Records the charge against Daniel Hourigan, his remand in custody, and a woman in her thirties arrested and released without charge. The article gives no exact date of death, only that the charged offence occurred between 31 January and 1 February.

    victim, Michael Foley, 61, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Foleyaccused, Daniel Hourigan, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Hourigansuspect, 30s, female
  3. 14 Feb2024
    Arrestedcorkbeo.ie, follow-up
    Two arrested in Cork city in connection with Macroom murder investigation

    Reports the arrest of two people in Cork city and identifies the victim as Michael Foley, 61, found at his Macroom home on 6 February 2024. The date of death is not stated.

    victim, Michael Foley, 61, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Foleysuspect, 30s, malesuspect, 30s, female
  4. 14 Feb2024
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai quiz man and woman over death of Michael Foley in Cork

    Reports the arrest of a man and woman in their 30s over the murder of Michael Foley, found dead at his home in Macroom on 6 February 2024. The article adds the cause of death, the arrests, the detention and a Garda appeal for information.

    victim, Michael Foley, 61, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Foleysuspect, 30s, malesuspect, 30s, female
  5. 14 Feb2024
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man and woman arrested over murder of man (61) in Co Cork

    Reports the arrest of a man and woman in their 30s, who were detained at an address in Cork city and taken to Bandon Garda station under Section 4. Adds the victim's name, the location, the head injuries and stab wounds, and the postmortem finding.

    victim, Michael Foley, 61, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Foleysuspect, 30s, malesuspect, 30s, female