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| Murdered man was 'gentle giant' | Murdered man was 'gentle giant' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A father of four who was stabbed to death in Newry has been described as a "gentle giant" whose death was a crime against the whole community. | A father of four who was stabbed to death in Newry has been described as a "gentle giant" whose death was a crime against the whole community. |
| Stefan Loughran, a taxi driver in his early 40s, died after a row in Derrybeg on Thursday at about 1930 GMT. | Stefan Loughran, a taxi driver in his early 40s, died after a row in Derrybeg on Thursday at about 1930 GMT. |
| It is thought he was trying to break up a fight when he was stabbed at least twice at Third Avenue, Derrybeg. | It is thought he was trying to break up a fight when he was stabbed at least twice at Third Avenue, Derrybeg. |
| He died later in hospital. Police are continuing to question a man in connection with the attack. | He died later in hospital. Police are continuing to question a man in connection with the attack. |
| Mr Loughran's death, neighbours said, robbed the estate of one of its most respected residents. | Mr Loughran's death, neighbours said, robbed the estate of one of its most respected residents. |
| His employer at the taxi firm, Kieran Dooley, said he was liked by all members of staff. | His employer at the taxi firm, Kieran Dooley, said he was liked by all members of staff. |
| "A big, gentle giant, Stefan was. He will be sadly missed by all. Our deepest sympathies go to the family," Mr Dooley said. | "A big, gentle giant, Stefan was. He will be sadly missed by all. Our deepest sympathies go to the family," Mr Dooley said. |
| "It is a very big shock to us all and very hard to take in. He will be sadly missed." | "It is a very big shock to us all and very hard to take in. He will be sadly missed." |
| Mr Loughran had worked as a photographer at the Newry Democrat newspaper, alongside reporter Donal O'Reilly. | Mr Loughran had worked as a photographer at the Newry Democrat newspaper, alongside reporter Donal O'Reilly. |
| Kieran Dooley said he was a "gentle giant" | |
| "He was a lovely fella, a very, very nice man," he said. | "He was a lovely fella, a very, very nice man," he said. |
| "For something like this to happen is absolutely unthinkable. | "For something like this to happen is absolutely unthinkable. |
| "At seven o'clock, when we were all sitting down for our tea, to think that someone who was so well liked and so well known in the community was lying dying on the streets of the estate where he lived all his life is absolutely terrible news." | "At seven o'clock, when we were all sitting down for our tea, to think that someone who was so well liked and so well known in the community was lying dying on the streets of the estate where he lived all his life is absolutely terrible news." |
| Anthony Coyle, from the Derrybeg Community Association, said Mr Loughran and his family were well known and respected in the Derrybeg area. | Anthony Coyle, from the Derrybeg Community Association, said Mr Loughran and his family were well known and respected in the Derrybeg area. |
| "The entire community are shocked and numbed about this tragedy," he said. | "The entire community are shocked and numbed about this tragedy," he said. |
| "On behalf of the community group and the entire community, I would like to say that our thoughts are with the family circle. They are a very much respected family." | "On behalf of the community group and the entire community, I would like to say that our thoughts are with the family circle. They are a very much respected family." |
| The scene of the stabbing and a number of avenues in the estate were cordoned off over night as police forensic experts worked to gather evidence. | The scene of the stabbing and a number of avenues in the estate were cordoned off over night as police forensic experts worked to gather evidence. |
| It is not clear what weapon was used in the stabbing. It is thought that it may have been a sort of hand tool. | It is not clear what weapon was used in the stabbing. It is thought that it may have been a sort of hand tool. |
| Police have appealed to anyone who was in the Derrybeg estate between 1800 GMT and 1845 GMT on Thursday to contact them. | Police have appealed to anyone who was in the Derrybeg estate between 1800 GMT and 1845 GMT on Thursday to contact them. |