A man who recently had his leg amputated and was confined to a wheelchair was stabbed to death in his own home – prompting gardaí to launch a hunt to find his killer.

The body of Eugene Murray, 69, was discovered at his home in the Kilmore estate in Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan, on Saturday evening.

The post-mortem examination revealed that he died from a single stab wound to his chest, Extra.ie understands.

While investigations are still at an early stage, officers are now considering upgrading the inquiry to a murder investigation.

Mr Murray had recently had half of one of his legs amputated, which left him in a wheelchair.

The married father-of-one also suffered from several other underlying medical conditions.

Gardaí are now looking to speak to someone known to him whom they suspect might have information about what happened to the pensioner.

The deceased was described by locals as a quiet man who kept to himself.

While detectives are keeping an open mind, they are trying to establish if this was a pre-meditated attack or if it may have been an act of self-defence, despite the deceased being in a wheelchair.

Mr Murray had lived in the Kilmore estate for decades.

Local Fine Gael councillor Trevor Smith, who grew up in the same estate, told the Mail: ‘I would have known the man myself.

‘Kilmore is a nice quiet estate and the residents there can’t believe something like this happened in the community.

‘Unfortunately it’s put Ballyjamesduff back in the news for the wrong reasons.’

Cllr Smith explained that Mr Murray had lost part of his leg to diabetes in recent years and described him as a ‘quiet man’.

Security sources said detectives are currently creating a timeline of Mr Murray’s movements before his death. His wife and child will also be spoken with, as is protocol.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bailieborough Garda Station on 042 969 4570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.