Tributes have been paid to local businessman Stephen McCahill following a fatal assault at his home on the outskirts of Ardara, County Donegal in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The father of two, originally from Glenties, was the co-owner of The Corner House pub in Ardara.
A male in his late 30s has been arrested in connection with Mr McCahill's death.
Lunchtime Live spoke with Local Donegal Fianna Fáil TD Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher, who was a friend of Mr McCahill and a former colleague.
“I knew Stephen going back to the early 80s when he took up a job in Killybegs, before I entered public life,” he said.
“Yesterday morning a dark cloud descended not just over Ardara but indeed all of Donegal when the news broke of Stephen's tragic and untimely death.”
The Fianna Fáil TD remarked on how Mr McCahill was known for his community spirit.
“Stephen was an exceptional community activist, he was very successful and also in his own business” remarked Gallagher.
He was known for his community and voluntary efforts for the southwest of Donegal.
He was also a community activist involved in “everything that moved in Ardara” from the Cuppa Tea Festival to the GAA.
“He was an exceptional person” said Gallagher, reflecting on the tragedy particularly for his wife Marietta and his two children who had just returned to the United States having spent Christmas in Ireland.
“So tragic and no words of course can express our deep felt sympathy for them,” he told the show.
A Garda station. Image: AlamyGardai are appealing for anyone with information about the death of Stephen McCahill to come forward.
