The family of Liam Farrell, a Co Leitrim farmer who was found dead in suspicious circumstances at his home over five years ago, have said they feel his death is being taken more seriously following a meeting with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.
Mr Farrell's son, Brendan, described as "very productive" the lengthy talks at the Department of Justice.
The 87-year-old, who lived alone in Rooskey, was found by his daughter slumped at the back door of his home on Sunday 13 January 2020.
He was covered in blood, his shoes and socks were removed and his watch was broken. Mr Farrell also had bruising to his left eye and feet.
Gardaí sealed off the scene and forensic investigators gathered evidence. A file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, but no prosecution was directed.
A post-mortem examination concluded that Liam Farrell died from a heart attack.
An inquest returned an open verdict last September.
Professor Paul Hartel, who conducted the post-mortem, told the inquest that he was not informed of a potential crime scene.
The pathologist Hartel added that, had he known this, he would have refused to carry out the examination and insisted that a forensic pathologist be drafted in to conduct more detailed evidence gathering.
Brendan Farrell said that Mr O'Callaghan told the family that he would meet Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly in the next seven days to discuss the case.
"There were a large number of issues in this investigation discussed here with the minister," he said after the meeting.
"He took a lot of time before today's meeting to go through different reports and I know he was in contact with the Garda Commissioner in the previous days before today to discuss the case ... and we'll be looking forward to the outcome now of those talks with the Garda Commissioner.
"He did say about his limitations as minister, that he can't investigate this, that he can't instruct that a cold case be brought into our father's case, but he certainly would put it to the commissioner," Mr Farrell said.
A spokesperson for Mr O'Callaghan confirmed that he committed to speaking to Commissioner Kelly.
