Northern Ireland

Nathan Carter backs 'shining light' Greenvale owner Michael McElhatton

Country singer Nathan Carter said he was heartbroken by the Greenvale Hotel tragedy
Country singer Nathan Carter said he was heartbroken by the Greenvale Hotel tragedy Country singer Nathan Carter said he was heartbroken by the Greenvale Hotel tragedy

Country star Nathan Carter said his "heart sank" when he learned of the deaths of three teenagers in the Greenvale Hotel tragedy.

Lauren Bullock (17), Connor Currie (16) and Morgan Barnard (17) died in a fatal crush outside the hotel in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, on St Patrick's night.

Liverpool-born Carter (28), who is one of the biggest celebrities in Irish country music, said the venue has a special significance for him.

"It was my first venue in Ireland," he told the Irish Daily Star.

"It was my first-ever show and my heart just absolutely sank when I heard about it."

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

Carter said he knows hotel owner Michael McElhatton (52) who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. 

Mr McElhatton accused police of trying to "blacken" his name after he was later arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply only to be 'de-arrested' several hours later after forensic tests on a bag containing white powder had ruled out the possibility of drugs.

Michael McElhatton, owner of the Greenvale Hotel
Michael McElhatton, owner of the Greenvale Hotel Michael McElhatton, owner of the Greenvale Hotel

Carter said he had known Mr McElhatton for 10 years.

"He's a shining light and an absolute gentleman," he said.

"My heart went out to the families and the victims but it went out to Mickey as well.

"It was such a tragedy that could've happened at any hotel or any gig... it was an awful, awful tragedy."

Carter said the tragedy showed how important it was for owners to be aware of their capacity limit.

"The night we were there we had 400 at the gig and the place was licensed for 500 but I've played many venues since that have been well over the double of what should've been in that venue," he said.

He added: "I'm sympathetic to everyone involved. It was a big accident."

Police said earlier this week that they have identified 619 people who were either in the queue or car park outside the hotel on the night the teenagers lost their lives.