A murder investigation has been launched following the death of James Cahillane, whose body was found in Co Kerry last week.
Flames destroyed his home in Ardraw, Beaufort, near Killorglin, last Thursday morning.
It was initially thought that Mr Cahillane died as a result of the fire and that it had started accidentally.
However, gardaí say a post mortem examination revealed that Mr Cahillane had sustained head injuries.
Mr Cahillane spent last Wednesday night socialising in Killorglin before returning home by taxi at around midnight.
Gardaí are now trying to piece together his final hours and have appealed for people who saw him on Wednesday night to contact them.
Mr Cahillane, a father of two adult children, lived alone. He was a former employee of the financial services company FEXCO, based in Killorglin.
His funeral took place in the town yesterday.
