A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man in his 60s at a house in Co Down.
The man who died has been named locally as Bobby McKee, the brother of former UUP MLA Harold McKee, who later joined the TUV.
A woman in her 60s - understood to be the victim’s wife Yvonne - has been taken to hospital with serious head injuries following an incident at the house in the Newcastle Road area of Kilkeel on Thursday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the property shortly before 1pm, and police arrived to find a man lying unconscious and not breathing, along with the injured woman.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Medical treatment was provided to the woman at the scene – and she has since been taken to hospital for treatment to her injuries. She remains in a stable condition at this time.
“At approximately 2pm, officers detained and arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in custody at this time, assisting officers with their enquiries.
“Enquires remain ongoing in order to determine exactly what has happened. However, at this time, we are not treating this as a firearms-related report.”
Newry, Mourne and Down Chief Inspector Lynne Corbett said: “We understand the Kilkeel and wider Mourne community will feel both shocked and saddened by what has happened today.
“Our thoughts are with the family as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened, and they have our full sympathy at this time.
“Please be reassured that our officers will be doing everything in their power to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding what has happened, and we would urge members of the public not to speculate.
“Cordons remain in place this evening as our enquiries continue. I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference 739 21/03/24.”
Devastating news today in Kilkeel, thoughts and prayers are with the families. Please respect their privacy at this already difficult time. 💔 https://t.co/eIL4VpGCm7
— Diane Forsythe (@DianeForsytheNI) March 21, 2024
Former South Down DUP MLA Jim Wells told the Irish News: “I’m absolutely shocked at the news coming out of the area tonight. I know the family and have been in their home before.
“The family are very well-respected in the area, and my thoughts are with the family at this time.
SDLP south Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “There is a sense of palpable shock in the area, and I am heartbroken to learn that a person has died.
“My thoughts and those of everyone in the community will be with the family and we are praying for the injured person.”
TUV leader Jim Allister also wrote on social media on Thursday: “Thoughts and prayers with all those affected and suffering because of the very sad events in Kilkeel”.
Thoughts and prayers with all those affected and suffering because of the very sad events in Kilkeel.
— Jim Allister (@JimAllister) March 21, 2024
In a social media post, the TUV’s south down branch said: “We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Harold, Maura, Mrs McKee and the family circle on the tragic death of Harold’s brother Bobby.
“Bobby was a real Christian gentleman and friend to many.”
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe described a “lovely family”, adding what happened was “absolutely shocking and horrific”.
“This is absolutely devastating and heartbreaking for Kilkeel and the wider Mourne area,” she told the BBC.
“It’s fair to say the community is completely numb as the news broke yesterday.
“This is a well-known family who we just all have in our thoughts and prayers at this devastating time.”
