Northern Ireland

Owner of Greenvale Hotel arrested on suspicion of manslaughter

Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElhatton was one of two men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElhatton was one of two men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElhatton was one of two men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

THE owner of the Greenvale Hotel was one of two men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter yesterday after the deaths of three teenagers outside a St Patrick’s night disco.

Michael McElhatton (52) was arrested in the Cookstown area.

Another man, aged 40, was also held in the Dungannon area by officers from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team.

It is understood he is a member of the venue's door staff.

Morgan Barnard (17), Connor Currie (16) and 17-year-old Lauren Bullock died after a crush outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on Sunday night.

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Their deaths have stunned the local community and support is being offered to the hundreds of young people who witnessed the tragedy.

Earlier this week Mr McElhatton said he was "deeply shocked and saddened by the traumatic events" of Sunday night.

He confirmed that management and staff were assisting police in their investigations.

From left, Connor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock (17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died following a crush outside a St Patrick's Day disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown 
From left, Connor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock (17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died following a crush outside a St Patrick's Day disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown  From left, Connor Currie (16), Lauren Bullock (17) and Morgan Barnard (17) died following a crush outside a St Patrick's Day disco at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown 

"We offer our heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of the three young people who have lost their lives."

Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said yesterday it was fortunate more were not killed in the crush.

Amid concerns that many of those trying to gain entry to the licensed premises were underage, the senior officer also said young people who come forward with information about what happened will not face charges.

"I want to reassure you, the focus of our investigation is not the age of people who were at the event - it is about trying to find answers for the families of the three teenagers who tragically died - we need to know what you saw so the heartbroken families of Connor, Lauren and Morgan know what happened to their children."

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Funeral details were confirmed last night for the three victims.

Requiem Mass for Morgan Barnard will be at 10am on Friday in St Patrick's Church, Dungannon.

Funeral Mass for Lauren Bullock will be in St Patrick's Church in nearby Donaghmore at 11am the same day, followed at 2pm for Connor Currie in St Malachy's Church, Edendork.

The Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
The Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone The Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone