21/04/2009

GAA Player's Death Probe Begins

Detectives have launched an inquiry into the death of the brother of Derry GAA's Vice-Captain Niall McCusker.

Connor McCusker, 31, and also a footballer - with the Ballinderry Shamrocks GAC - passed away yesterday evening at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

He had suffered serious head injuries in an incident that took place outside the Mint Café Bar in James Street area of Cookstown, Co Tyrone, early on Sunday.

The Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has expressed his condolences to the McCusker family and has condemned the assault.

"No family should find themselves in such a position where a son goes out for a night out and doesn’t return home," declared McGuinness, who is also the MP for the area.

According to News Letter, police said that the trouble broke out in the nightclub and spilled out into the street.

Detectives are investigating - through CCTV images - the sequence of events that led up to the murder.

A 21-year-old man held in connection with the incident - who was arrested on Sunday – this morning remained in police custody and was still being questioned.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland have appealed for anyone who was in the James Street area at the time of the fight to contact them on 0845 600 8000.

They can also give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

See: GAA Star's Brother 'Critical' Following Assault

(AC/BMcC)


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