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Jason McGovern's death: Police launch murder inquiry | Jason McGovern's death: Police launch murder inquiry |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Police have said they are treating an attack in Omagh that led to the death of a County Monaghan teenager as murder. | Police have said they are treating an attack in Omagh that led to the death of a County Monaghan teenager as murder. |
It is believed Jason McGovern of Tydavnet, Monaghan, was punched at a pub on John Street, Omagh, at midnight on Sunday. | It is believed Jason McGovern of Tydavnet, Monaghan, was punched at a pub on John Street, Omagh, at midnight on Sunday. |
He was hit again two hours later at the Cunningham Terrace car park. | |
He then made his way to a friend's house in Mullan village near Emyvale where he was found dead on Monday. | He then made his way to a friend's house in Mullan village near Emyvale where he was found dead on Monday. |
The investigation will be led by the PSNI and supported by Gardai. | The investigation will be led by the PSNI and supported by Gardai. |
A post mortem examination showed the teenager's death had been due to a head injury he suffered during the initial assault. | A post mortem examination showed the teenager's death had been due to a head injury he suffered during the initial assault. |
Police said Jason travelled by taxi with a group of friends to Omagh, and was in two public houses during the evening. | Police said Jason travelled by taxi with a group of friends to Omagh, and was in two public houses during the evening. |
They said the group became separated during the night but shortly before 2am, Jason and a friend were outside the Terrace Bar when they encountered a group of about five men and a verbal exchange took place. | They said the group became separated during the night but shortly before 2am, Jason and a friend were outside the Terrace Bar when they encountered a group of about five men and a verbal exchange took place. |
"After this, punches were thrown and Mr McGovern was struck several times in the head and upper body," police said. | |
"He and his friend then moved away down Kevlin Road towards the taxi that was waiting for them at another public house, the Weigh Inn. | |
"They were followed by at least three of the original group of five males." | |
At the Cunningham Terrace car park, Mr McGovern was confronted by a man from the initial group of five men and was struck once more in the face and collapsed to the ground. | |
"He was assisted into the taxi by two men who had not been part of either fracas, but may have witnessed the incident," police said. | |
"The Monaghan party made their way home and Mr McGovern went to bed and was discovered dead at about noon on New Year's Eve." | "The Monaghan party made their way home and Mr McGovern went to bed and was discovered dead at about noon on New Year's Eve." |
Det Ch Insp Richard Harkness appealed for information from taxi drivers and motorists at the Cunningham Terrace car park, Omagh, and especially the two middle-aged men who helped Jason into his taxi with his friend after the assault to contact police. | |
He stressed that they had nothing to do with the assault. | He stressed that they had nothing to do with the assault. |
A priest who knew the teenager described him as a "very caring and affable young man". | A priest who knew the teenager described him as a "very caring and affable young man". |
Canon Macartan McQuaid said his family were struggling to cope with his death. | Canon Macartan McQuaid said his family were struggling to cope with his death. |