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Third arrest over pensioner death | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Police investigating the murder of a pensioner in Omagh have arrested a third teenager. | |
The body of 78-year-old Francis O'Neill, a former psychiatric nurse, was discovered in his house in Brook Valley on Saturday morning. | The body of 78-year-old Francis O'Neill, a former psychiatric nurse, was discovered in his house in Brook Valley on Saturday morning. |
The 15-year-old male was detained in Belfast over the killing. | |
A 16-year-old and an 18-year-old questioned over a burglary at Mr O'Neill's house were rearrested earlier in connection with the murder. | |
Police have said they will increase patrols in the Brook Valley area in response to fears expressed by elderly people in Omagh following Mr O'Neill's death. | |
'Everybody knew him' | |
Councillor Paddy Magowan said Mr O'Neill was "a lovely individual." | Councillor Paddy Magowan said Mr O'Neill was "a lovely individual." |
"He was 78 but he was very outgoing, he would be in the town maybe a few times a day. | "He was 78 but he was very outgoing, he would be in the town maybe a few times a day. |
"Everybody knew him. He had worked locally in the hospital and was well known," said Mr Magowan. | |
Community worker Gerry McCusker, who knew Mr O'Neill, said his murder had left other elderly people fearful for their safety. | Community worker Gerry McCusker, who knew Mr O'Neill, said his murder had left other elderly people fearful for their safety. |
"It just seems so unreal that something like this can happen," he said. | "It just seems so unreal that something like this can happen," he said. |
"We hear tell of burglaries, but when it gets to the stage that someone's death is the result of a burglary then it would add a whole new element to it, and it's hard to explain the fear that elderly people will have. | "We hear tell of burglaries, but when it gets to the stage that someone's death is the result of a burglary then it would add a whole new element to it, and it's hard to explain the fear that elderly people will have. |
"It's sad to think that somebody lives for so long and then their life ends in such a tragic way," said Mr McCusker. | "It's sad to think that somebody lives for so long and then their life ends in such a tragic way," said Mr McCusker. |