Gardaí in Co Sligo have officially launched a murder investigation into the death of 23-year-old Tom Ward.
The Deputy State Pathologist, Dr John Curtis, conducted a post mortem last night at Sligo General Hospital.
He concluded that Mr Ward died as result of severe head injuries caused by a sharp implement such a hatchet or a slashhook.
Mr Ward was attacked as he sat in his van outside his parents' home in Joe McDonnell Drive in the Cranmore estate in Sligo.
Gardaí believe Mr Ward was pulled from the van and attacked, receiving one fatal blow from the weapon to the back of his head.
