Dungannon murder probe: eight-year-old stable after father found dead at family home
A 16-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man, 61, was found dead and his daughter seriously injured in Dungannon. Police say they are not seeking anyone else.
Eight-year-old fights for life as teenager held over Dungannon killing
Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that an eight-year-old girl is in a stable condition in hospital after a 61-year-old man was found dead at a property on Lisnahull Road in Dungannon on Saturday morning.
A 16-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in connection with the incident. Detectives have been granted a court extension of a further 36 hours to question the teenager.
Police received a call from a member of the public about an ongoing disturbance at the property at around 11:00 BST. Officers arriving at the scene discovered the body of the man, his 48-year-old wife, and their severely injured daughter.
"Officers arrived a short time later and discovered the body of a man, aged 61, his 48-year-old wife, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and their severely injured eight-year-old daughter," PSNI Superintendent Peter Stevenson told reporters on Monday.
Stevenson said officers immediately commenced first aid on both the woman and the girl. "I am in no doubt their quick actions gave the young girl a fighting chance at survival," he said. The girl is now listed in a stable condition. The man's wife has since been discharged from hospital.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) confirmed it received a 999 call at 11:08 on Saturday. It dispatched a helicopter crew, three emergency crews, one advanced care paramedic, two ambulance officers, and one HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) crew to the scene.
BBC News NI understands the man who died was originally from Guinea-Bissau but had lived in Northern Ireland for more than two decades.
Flowers have been laid outside the property on Lisnahull Road. Stevenson expressed condolences to the family. "First and foremost, I want to express my sympathies to the loved ones of this family who will inevitably be struggling to come to terms with this horrendous news," he said. Specialist officers are supporting the wider family circle.
Supt Stevenson urged the public to refrain from speculation. "I want to repeat that we do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public. At this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation," he said.
Residents in the area can expect an increased police presence in the coming days. Stevenson added that early trauma-focused support has been provided to officers who attended the scene, and that care will continue.
"We understand the public interest and concern. We will continue to bring updates as our investigation progresses," he said.
Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)