04/12/2007

Body Discovered In Burnt Out Car

A horrific discovery was made yesterday morning when a burnt out car containing a body was found.

Police are set to resume their examination of the scene at Gortin Glen Forest Park near Omagh in County Tyrone today.

The grisly discovery was made on Monday morning, by a forestry worker.

Police said they are treating the death as suspicious and have said the car in which the body was found was a Clio 1998 model.

PSNI detectives have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

The chairman of Omagh District Council, Bert Wilson, said it was a tragic incident and extended his sympathies to the dead man's family.

"No matter who this man is or what the circumstances are, he will leave behind relatives and friends and for those people this is going to be a very sad Christmas," he said.

"It's a tragedy for the Omagh area and it comes so soon after the terrible [McElHill family] fire. The town is just coming to terms with that and this tragedy has dealt another blow..."

UUP councillor Ross Hussey also extended his sympathies and said it was another setback after a difficult period for the Omagh community.

"There are various stories going around but until I hear something official I don't want to speculate too much. At the minute we're awaiting further details from the police.

"It's been a difficult few weeks for the Omagh area and the loss of another life is tragic. I wish to extend my sympathies to the man's family.

"It's not pleasant to see another family from the Omagh area suffering so soon after the recent fire tragedy, especially as those funerals only took place over the weekend.

"It's hard for any family to suffer the loss of a loved one and at this time of year it makes it even worse," he said.

(BMcC)

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