News of the sudden death of an occupant of the Tearmann Ui Chaoimh sheltered housing complex in Mitchelstown overnight on Tuesday was greeted with sadness by residents.

75-year-old Patrick Hanley, known to all as ‘Christy’, had lived in the sheltered housing for around 15 years. While he was in poor health, suffering from respiratory difficulties and needed to use oxygen daily, he was mobile and able to mix with other residents at the sheltered housing’s centre where he had lunch each day. He was due to go into hospital for respite care shortly.

A native of Skeheen, Mitchelstown, he was a bachelor. He is survived bu his brother who lives in Skeheen.

His body was discovered by the complex caretaker, Bedina Fitzgerald. The caretaker said Mr Hanley was ‘a lovely man’  who was friendly and well liked at the complex, where he mixed well.

A post mortem was being carried out on his body, but gardai say they are not treating his death as suspicious.