FOUR people were being questioned last night in connection with the murder of a father-of-nine whose body was discovered in an alleyway near his Derry home.
Eddie Meenan (52) suffered injuries to his head and upper body in the attack.
He was found in the early hours of Sunday at Creggan Street close to his Little Diamond home on the edge of the Bogside.
The area where Mr Meenan’s body was found, which is within yards of Derry’s St Eugene’s Cathedral, remained sealed off throughout yesterday.
Ffloral tributes were left at the scene by members of Mr Meenan’s family, including flowers from his sister Tanya with the message: “My kind-hearted brother, taken way too soon. Love you always and forever, your wee sis Tanya.”
Four people arrested in connection with the murder remained in custody last night.
A 19-year-old man was detained yesterday on suspicion of murder while a 51-year-old man arrested on Sunday was last night released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Detectives were granted an additional 36 hours to question a 35-year-old woman also arrested on Sunday on suspicion of murder.
Two other men, aged 26 and 31, remained in custody last night.
Speaking yesterday, Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell renewed his appeal for information.
Mr Caldwell said police were particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the Creggan Street or Little Diamond area late on Saturday night and who may have witnessed anything.
Mary Hamilton, chairwoman of Derry and Strabane’s policing and community partnership, said she was “saddened and shocked” by the death and offered condolences to family and friends of Mr Meenan.
