25/03/2024

PSNI Name Kilkeel Murder Victim As Bobbie McKee

The PSNI's Major Investigation Team have named the man who was murdered in Kilkeel on Thursday, 21st March as Bobbie McKee.

Mr McKee, who was 69-years-old, was pronounced dead after his body was located in a property in the Newcastle Road area last Thursday afternoon following a report of a concern for safety for a couple.

Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly said: "Mr McKee's wife, who is also aged in her 60s, was found inside the house with serious head injuries. She remains in hospital in a stable condition.

"A 25-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remains in custody at this time. He is currently being questioned by detectives.

"Enquiries are ongoing in order to determine exactly what has happened. However, at this time, we are not treating this as a firearms-related report.

"A cordon remains in place this evening, Friday 22nd March, as we continue to work to establish the circumstances of what happened. We would encourage members of the public not to speculate but rather, to contact us on 101, quoting reference 739 21/03/24 if they have any information which could assist our investigation.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Mr McKee's family and they have our full sympathy as they try to come to terms with what has happened."

Reports can be submitted online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

02 February 2024
Green Party Welcomes Decision To Save Promote Learning Disability Service
The Green Party has welcomed the decision by charity & social, Orchardville, to run the Promote Learning Disability Service in Bangor after it was under threat of closure. Although delighted by the news, Councillor McKee said that it was "disgraceful" that day opportunity placements for 52 adults were put under threat.
12 June 2019
Billy McKee Dies Aged 97
A former IRA leader has died at the age of 97. Billy McKee died at his home in Belfast on Tuesday, 11 June. He is believed to have joined the IRA in the 1930s. He left and joined Sinn Féin in the 1980s.
16 September 2024
21-Year-Old Charged With Murder Of Woman In East Belfast
A 21-year-old man is due to appear in Belfast Magistrate's Court today charged with with murder of a woman in east Belfast. Responding to a 'concern for safety' report, police attended a house on the Castlereagh Road shortly before 10.30pm on Friday, 13 September.
26 March 2024
25-Year-Old Charged With Murder Of Bobbie McKee
A 25-year-old man has been charged in connection with the murder of Bobbie McKee in Kilkeel. Mr McKee (69) died shortly after being found seriously injured at his home in the Newcastle Road area on Thursday 21 March. The man has also been charged with the attempted murder of Mr McKee's wife, who remains in a serious condition in hospital.
14 September 2022
Man Jailed In Connection With Lyra McKee Murder
A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in jail in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee. Niall Sheerin appeared before Laganside Court today, Wednesday 14th September. He was sentenced to seven years having pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition.