Reaction: Police name murder victim as Gerard Quinn

A 16-year-old has been detained by police following the murder of a 24-year-old man in Londonderry.
PSNIPSNI
PSNI

The killing happened on the evening of Saturday May 21.

Just after 10.25pm, police received a report that a man had been assaulted in the Milldale Crescent area – around the Currynierin district in the south-east of the city – during an altercation.

The man was taken to hospital where he later died.

The murdered man has been named by police as Gerard Quinn.

Another 24-year-old man also received injuries to his head in the incident but these are not believed to be life threatening.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Detective Chief Inspector Michael Harvey said: “A 16-year-old male was arrested shortly after midnight on Sunday May 22 and is currently assisting us with our enquiries at Strand Road Police Station.

“This has resulted in the tragic death of a young man, therefore I would ask anyone in the community who knows anything about the circumstances leading up to this incident, or saw or heard an altercation in the Milldale Crescent area, to contact police and give us this information.

“Please contact detectives at our Incident Room at Maydown Police Station on 028 7137 9793 or alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has said that the murder of a 24-year-old man has “shocked” the entire city.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This morning a family is coming to terms with the death of a son in the most horrific of circumstances,” he said.

“The loss of a young man in any circumstances is absolutely tragic but to have had someone with their whole life in front of them murdered like this will be particularly devastating for his family and his community.

“My thoughts and prayers, and those of my party, are with the young man’s family and friends at this difficult time. I have no doubt that the community here will rally around them and provide every support that they need.”

He urged anyone with any information “about this crime or who may have heard a disturbance in the Milldale Crescent area last night to come forward to the police as soon as possible”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “The death of this young man in these circumstances is a tragedy that has shocked the local area.

“There is a live police investigation into this incident and that should be allowed to go ahead.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the man who was killed at this difficult time.”