Northern Ireland

Paul McCready 'died in one-punch attack'

Murder victim Paul McCready with partner Ruth Patterson
Murder victim Paul McCready with partner Ruth Patterson Murder victim Paul McCready with partner Ruth Patterson

MURDER victim Paul McCready died in a so-called one punch attack it has emerged, as his fiancée paid an online tribute to her "best friend".

The 31-year-old, who was a father of two young boys, died in hospital following a fight which began in a Donegall Street bar and spilled on to the street at around 12.50am on Sunday.

A 30-year-old man was arrested and remained in custody last night.

Mr McCready, from the Cliftonville Road area in north Belfast, worked in the civil service.

His fiancée Ruth Patterson wrote on Facebook that his death was a "nightmare".

She described her partner as her "best friend in the whole world for the last 11 years".

"I don't know what I'll do with out you Paul. Never did I think this would be me and our boys' life!" she wrote. "We had so many amazing times together, the four of us. You made sure of that! And so many plans for the future. I just want to wake up now from this nightmare."

"Your poor boys are broken. They idolised you and you them! Please give them strength xxx.

"My life will never be the same again I know that for certain. You were my rock who I could tell everything too."

She added: "Love you more than you'll ever know."

A keen sportsman, he was a former player with amateur league side Newington FC in north Belfast and helped coach the club's Under-Nine team.

The club wore black armbands and held a minute's silence last night ahead of their game against Linfield Swifts.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes reiterated the danger of one-punch attacks.

"It really reinforces our message to enjoy your night out, but please remember that 'one punch can kill'," he said. "Previously we have seen how with just one punch, lives have been destroyed and families' lives have been wrecked."

Police appealed to people who were in the Northern Whig bar or close to the junction of Donegall Street and Waring Street around the time of the attack to come forward.

Officers also want to hear from anyone who may have taken videos or photographs.

Mr Geddes said although several people had already come forward others had not yet contacted police.

"This is a very sad case where an altercation has ended in the most tragic way possible – in the murder of a young family man," he said.

"Paul has two young children under 10 years of age, a partner, parents, siblings and a wider family unit who today are facing a life without him. These young children sadly now face a lifetime without their dad."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101.