Posted by Updated / Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024 14:25
Midlands Correspondent
An investigation is under way after the death of a man in his 60s at a five star hotel in Co Laois.
The victim, a US national who was a guest at the hotel, was found by staff at Ballyfin Demesne shortly before 8pm yesterday.
His body was removed from the scene this morning and a post-mortem examination will be carried out in Portlaoise.
It is understood he arrived in Ireland yesterday.
A man in his 30s, who was known to the victim and was travelling with him, was arrested.
He is also from the United States.
He is being detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be questioned for up to 24 hours before detectives have to release or charge him.
A technical examination of the scene is under way this afternoon.
Ballyfin Demesne is an exclusive five-star hotel which is set on 600 acres of land in north Co Laois.
Surrounded by high walls, it is popular with celebrities who want to stay out of the public eye.
George and Amal Clooney have been guests of the hotel in the past and Kim Kardashian and Kanye West honeymooned there in 2014.
The hotel has won several awards and earlier this year was voted as the top resort in the UK and Ireland for 2024 by Travel + Leisure readers.
The hotel said it had no comment to make when contacted earlier today.
Communities in shock
Local Independent Councillor James Kelly said the communities in Ballyfin and Mountrath are in total shock.
“There would be a lot of staff from the area and they’re totally shocked by what has happened here. It’s something we didn’t think we’d be waking up to this morning.”
He thanked the emergency services and the staff at the hotel for all they did in the aftermath of the incident.
Cllr Kelly said Ballyfin is a great asset to the county and that this appears to be a “once off incident.
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