Northern Ireland

Devastated mother of Brian Phelan's children says she 'has to keep strong'

Shocked friends and relatives of Mr Phelan paid tribute to the murdered man yesterday. Picture by Mark Pearce
Shocked friends and relatives of Mr Phelan paid tribute to the murdered man yesterday. Picture by Mark Pearce Shocked friends and relatives of Mr Phelan paid tribute to the murdered man yesterday. Picture by Mark Pearce

THE distraught mother of stabbing victim Brian Phelan's children has said she does not know how she will cope following his sudden death.

Mr Phelan, a father-of-two from Bessbrook, Co Armagh, was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack on Carrivekeeney Road outside Newry yesterday afternoon.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of his murder.

He leaves a six-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. 

The grieving mother of his children, Amanda O'Riordan, told Q Radio said she has to stay strong for their sake.

"You couldn't meet a nicer fella. Everybody loved him. He helped everybody," she said.

"Everybody's heart's broke. The poor children. I don't know how I'm going to get through it. I don't know what I'm going to do."

Ms O'Riordan thanked well-wishers for the support they have shown her.

"Thanks everybody just for being there and helping out. I just have to keep strong for them, for his children."