logo
Dungannon: Two more arrested after pensioner's murder

Dungannon: Two more arrested after pensioner's murder

BBC News03-03-2025

Two further people have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man in Dungannon last week.The victim, aged in his 70s, died following an assault at a flat in the Corrainey Park area on Thursday evening.It is understood he was originally from Poland but police said he had lived in the Dungannon area for more than 20 years.The attack happened at a block of flats on the edge of the Lisnahull estate at about 20:00 GMT on Thursday.
On Sunday, police arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of murder, and a 27-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.They are both currently being questioned.Police said two men who are aged in their 30s, who were also arrested over the weekend in connection with the murder, also remain in custody.
On Friday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed they were treating the man's death as murder.Supt Peter Stevenson said the victim "was found seriously injured on the living room floor of the property".Later that evening, more than 100 people attended a vigil close to the block of flats where the man lived.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Northern Ireland
Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Northern Ireland

The Independent

time22 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Northern Ireland

A fire broke out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility on the third night of disorder in Northern Ireland. Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre in Co Antrim on Wednesday and set fires outside which spread inside. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the facility had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in nearby Ballymena but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere. Police and firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control on Wednesday night. The fire coincided with a third night of public disorder in Ballymena, 30 minutes away from Larne. Dozens of police officers have been injured during the sustained unrest while multiple properties and vehicles have been set on fire. The PSNI deployed riot police for a third night in Ballymena as a significant crowd gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. At least one protester was struck by a plastic baton round fired by police while officers also used a water cannon on the crowd. Demonstrators who gathered on Bridge Street near the residential area were told to disperse shortly before 9pm after a firework was thrown at officers. Officers, who warned they would fire the plastic baton rounds at violent individuals, also used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them down Bridge Street in the town. They came under sustained attack as those participating in disorder hurled petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks at police vehicles and officers standing nearby. Elsewhere, social media footage appeared to show an established fire on train tracks running through Coleraine. Earlier, a senior officer said the PSNI had requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following further violence in Ballymena. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has flared. He said there were disgraceful scenes in Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey on Tuesday, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one charged. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned that the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. Mr Henderson said the force had requested about 80 officers through mutual aid. Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, Sir Keir condemned the 'mindless attacks' against police. In a joint statement, ministers from across the Stormont powersharing Executive, which includes Sinn Fein, DUP, Alliance Party and UUP, said those involved in disorder have nothing to offer society but 'division and disorder'. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly later appeared together to voice their condemnation. Sinn Fein vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery'. With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. 'The key message here today is around that violence, and that the violence needs to stop, that's what the community wants to put across, and that's why I'm here to send that very clear and united message from right throughout the community and local residents for that to stop,' she said. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged.

Ballymena riots latest: Fire started 'after vandalism' at leisure centre as disorder breaks out for third night in row in N Ireland
Ballymena riots latest: Fire started 'after vandalism' at leisure centre as disorder breaks out for third night in row in N Ireland

Sky News

time2 hours ago

  • Sky News

Ballymena riots latest: Fire started 'after vandalism' at leisure centre as disorder breaks out for third night in row in N Ireland

21:47:04 Leisure centre on fire 'temporarily housed people from Ballymena' Reports in Ireland suggest the leisure centre said to be targeted by vandals tonight - see 20.59 - may have housed people moved from Ballymena, though this has not been verified. DUP politician Gordon Lyons posted on Facebook earlier today "a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Lesiure Centre... following disturbances in Ballymena". "It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne," he added. "Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful." The Irish Independent said it is understood there is nobody currently inside the Leisure Centre. 21:14:01 'Force will be used against violent individuals', police warn crowd In Ballymena, police have gathered to deter any rioters planing disorder for a third night in a row. Our team is there now, where a crowd has been told to move away. A warning played via speakers tells them they should be "dispersed immediately". It then warns "force will be used against violent individuals". 20:59:56 Fire breaks out in town east of Ballymena A fire has reportedly broken out at a leisure centre in another town in the same county as Ballymena. Footage on social media shows masked individuals smashing windows and setting fires outside in Larne. The map below shows where Larne is, about 20 miles east of Ballymena in County Antrim. Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said the leisure centre "has been attacked by masked thugs". "Windows smashed and fires lit nearby," he posted on social media. "Larne does not need this." 20:59:01 In pictures: Police brace for further rioting More pictures now from the scene in Ballymena, where police are preparing for another night of rioting. 20:46:01 Entire rows of houses displaying 'locals live here' signs We've already brought you reports of residents in Ballymena displaying signs in their windows about their nationality - in an attempt to avoid rioters targeting their homes. Now, our team on the ground bring us pictures of entire rows of homes displaying signs. Our correspondent Connor Gillies explains that these signs look organised, as they are all of the same design, printed on yellow paper with black lettering in caps saying "Locals live here". Some homes with the signs in their windows also have the Northern Irish flag or the Union flag, too. 20:30:01 More police arrive with shields and helmets We reported in the post below that the police presence in Ballymena is growing. The picture below, from the last few minutes, gives you an idea of the units now taking formation. Several vans have arrived, blocking off a street as more officers line up equipped with riot gear. 20:16:48 Significant police presence in Ballymena A brief update from Connor Gillies, our reporter on the ground in Northern Ireland. He says he's just arrived in Ballymena for the evening, where there is a significant police presence. We'll bring you more updates as we get them. 20:09:01 'I deplore the thuggery' More political reaction now, with former SDLP leader Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick reacting to the violence. She said earlier: "I deplore the thuggery and the racist violence in Ballymena over the last two days, where there were attacks on the police service of Northern Ireland and on ethnic minorities." Violence condemned 'unequivocally' DUP peer Lord Weir of Ballyholme added: "Can I join with others in commending the efforts and the bravery of the police and the other emergency services in dealing [with the] situation of the last 48 hours, and also unreservedly and unequivocally condemn the violence that has taken place in Ballymena. "Whatever the underlying issues that are there in Ballymena, nothing can ever justify the thuggery that is being perpetrated there." 19:45:01 Aftermath of 'ugly' night of 'racially motivated' violence - and how it all began Police say the violence this week in Ballymena is "clearly racially motivated". Connor Gillies explains it all began with a vigil for a teenage girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault. Two teenage boys, from Romania, have appeared in court connected to that investigation. Officers say the vigil was hijacked by a planned anti-immigration mob. Watch below as Gillies runs through the origins of the riots, and looks at the homes devastated by violence.

Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Northern Ireland
Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Northern Ireland

BreakingNews.ie

time2 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Northern Ireland

A fire broke out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility during several nights of disorder in Northern Ireland. Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre in Co Antrim on Wednesday and set fires outside which spread inside. Advertisement The attack coincided with a third night of public disorder in the town of Ballymena, 30 minutes away from Larne. Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs. Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this. — Danny Donnelly MLA (@DannyDonnelly1) June 11, 2025 Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said in a social media post: 'Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs. 'Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this.' The PSNI deployed riot police in Ballymena for a third night as a significant crowd gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. Advertisement Demonstrators who gathered on Bridge Street near the residential area were told to disperse shortly before 9pm after a firework was thrown at officers. Riot police block a road close to Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena on Wednesday night (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) Officers also used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them. Missiles were thrown at officers in the Clonavon Terrace area on Wednesday night. Advertisement Earlier, a senior officer said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had requested support from colleagues in the UK following further violence in Ballymena. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has flared. He said there were disgraceful scenes in Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey on Tuesday, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one charged. Advertisement Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned that the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. Providing an update on the policing operation on Wednesday, Mr Henderson said: 'We are taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place. Advertisement 'This will have an impact on our community, this will take away vital resources needed to police other areas.' A second night of violence took place in Ballymena (Niall Carson/PA) He said they have requested about 80 officers through mutual aid. Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, Sir Keir condemned the 'mindless attacks' against police. 'I utterly condemn the violence that we have seen overnight in Ballymena and in other parts of Northern Ireland, including against PSNI officers,' Sir Keir told MPs. 'It's absolutely vital that the PSNI are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe.' In a joint statement, ministers from across the Stormont powersharing Executive, which includes Sinn Fein, DUP, Alliance Party and UUP, said those involved in disorder have nothing to offer society but 'division and disorder'. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly later appeared together to voice their condemnation. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly speak to media at the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Wednesday (David Young/PA) Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' She said ministers stood full-square with the young girl who was subject to the alleged sex attack but added the criminal justice system must be allowed to deal with that case. 'Separate to that is the racism that we're seeing… people being firebombed out of their homes, people having their doors knocked in, having their windows being smashed, families being intimidated,' Ms O'Neill added. 'That is absolutely unacceptable and everything that needs to be done to bring it to an end is our focus in terms of the engagement we have with the PSNI.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery', adding: 'We've been in contact with the chief constable, and in constant contact with the PSNI throughout last night in terms of what was happening on the ground. 'I think today is about sending a very clear message that violence is wrong, it is entirely unacceptable. It must stop.' Rioters attacked police in Ballymena on Tuesday night (Niall Carson/PA) With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. 'The key message here today is around that violence, and that the violence needs to stop, that's what the community wants to put across, and that's why I'm here to send that very clear and united message from right throughout the community and local residents for that to stop,' she said. Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (third right) during a visit to Clonavon Terrace (Niall Carson/PA) Police said their officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena on Tuesday night. The PSNI deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannon as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. Police also reported that 'sporadic disorder' had also occurred in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well as incidents in north Belfast. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store