Murder probe launched following brutal attack on elderly man

Detectives in Bangor in County Down have launched a murder inquiry following the death of an elderly man who was viciously assaulted in the town.

The 70-year-old man was attacked at the rear of Bangor Abbey in Abbey Street in Bangor on Wednesday July 25. The man was named as Frederick Russell McMahon from Abbots Walk in the Whitehill estate in the town.

A passing motorist, who saw the assault taking place around 11.30pm on Wednesday evening, raised the alarm. The man was taken to hospital where he later died. Detective Inspector David Skelley, who is leading the inquiry, said the assault was a “severe and concentrated attack” which involved at least one assailant.

The Detective Inspector told BBC Radio Ulster that the victim sustained horrific injuries: “Unfortunately there are attacks in the Bangor area, as there are across the province, but certainly it’s an absolute disgrace.

“A murder investigation has been commenced and the motorist’s evidence is obviously very relevant for the purpose of the investigation. The injuries were sufficiently serious enough that he subsequently died.”

Describing the man’s injuries as quite horrific he appealed for anyone who was in that area at the time or who had information about the incident to contact the CID at Bangor RUC station.

(AMcE)