The partner of a man murdered in a small Co Tyrone village witnessed the deadly assault, believed to have happened in the vicinity of his home.
Kyle McDermott (24) died in hospital after he was attacked on Sunday evening in the village of Ballymagorry outside Strabane.
The comminity reacted with “horror and disbelief” when they woke on Monday morning to learn the young man had been fatally attacked near their homes. A 24-year-old was being questioned on Monday on suspicion of murder.
West Tyrone MLA Danny McCrossan said:
“It has left the quiet and peaceful rural community “without words” at an event that has “shook” its “entire foundation.”
Mr McDermott was a member of a well known family in the north west. He is a cousin of Strabane Independent councillor Jason Barr while his uncle, PJ O’Brien, once managed the Donegal hurling team.
The young man was originally from the Burt area of Inishowen in Co Donegal.
The murder investigation was launched following the report of the fatal assault, which police said happened around 11.30pm. Mr McDermott died in Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry in the early hours of Monday.
Earlier, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said they received a 999 call at 00:39am about an incident in the Victoria Road area of Ballymagorry.
Two ambulances were dispatched to the incident and one person was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital, NIAS added.
Part of the Victoria Road was closed for several hours yesterday morning and into the afternoon while police carried out a forensic examination.
Detective inspector Hazel Miller said: “Kyle McDermott died following an altercation, which took place on the night of Sunday 6 October in the Victoria Road area.
“A young man’s life has been cut short, and a loving family are now left trying come to terms with their grief. My thoughts are with them at this distressing time.”
Detective Inspector Miller added: “Our investigation is still in the early stages, and I want to take this opportunity to reiterate my earlier appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
“If you were in, or perhaps driving along, the Victoria Road area of Ballymagorry last night between 6pm and midnight, and noticed an altercation or anything untoward, please contact us. In particular, I’m asking you to check any footage, including dash cam footage, that you may have captured. Contact us on 101, quoting reference 1670 of 06/10/24.”
She continued: “A 24-year-man arrested in connection with the investigation remains in custody at this time.”
Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, with total anonymity, on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Mr McCrossan added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with this man’s family and friends, my heart goes out to them as they deal with this earth-shattering news. I’m sure everyone in the local community will rally around them at this terrible time.
“I commend police for their quick response to this and would urge the public to give them the space they need to carry out their investigation. Anyone with any information should come forward immediately.
“At the heart of this matter is a broken family and they should be uppermost in our thoughts at this time.”
