Gunned down

attempting to thwart a robbery at the Florida restaurant he was managing. and one line in the investigation is that the robbery might have been an inside job.

Tom Walsh, 43, from Templemore, died after being shot by a robber who stole a reported $3000 from the Mainstreet Grill in DeLand, near Daytona Beach.

The shooting occurred at closing time last Saturday night. Walsh was the only employee left on the premises.

The father of one daughter, Walsh will be buried in Ireland according to his ex-wife, Lisa Bennett.

The Irish Independent reported that Walsh had worked at the popular restaurant since it opened for business 16 years ago. He also had his own computer business and the restaurant work was lately a sideline.

"All the indicators were there that it could be a

robbery. That's what we're starting with," Assistant

Police Chief Randel Henderson told the Daytona Beach News Journal.

Investigators have not yet revealed if Walsh was shot once, or multiple times.

A memorial in Walsh's honor was organized by

Mainstreet Grill owners by Phil and Chantelle Martin on Monday.

"He was like a thread that wove in and out throughout the history of our restaurant. He was a man of huge integrity," Chantelle Martin told the News Journal.

A memorial is set for St. Peter's Catholic Church in DeLand on Thursday before Walsh's remains are flown home to Ireland.

Walsh's first cousin, John Walsh, posted an online tributee, according to the Independent report.

"This is such a terrible and shocking tragedy. I remember Thomas growing up, here in Main Street, Templemore, Co. Tipperary. He was such a gentle soul. He was such a loyal and true friend to all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Ní bheidh a leithead arís ann," he wrote.

On Tuesday, the Daytona Beach News Journal reported DeLand's assistant police chief as saying that "as logic would dictate" detectives are looking at the possibility the shooting could have been an inside job.