A post mortem is due to be carried out today on the body of a 51-year-man who died in suspicious circumstances in West Cork.

The remains of the man, named locally as Englishman John Ustic, were found at his home in Skibbereen by his partner yesterday morning.

It is understood that gardaí are examining the theory that he was assaulted, or that he may have fallen - and door to door inquiries have been carried out.

A preliminary examination of the scene revealed no sign of forced entry, although there was some disarray in the house.

The man's body was found in the living room area of the house that he was renting with his partner.

Emergency services were alerted and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí say the direction of the investigation will be dictated by the results of the post-mortem.