A man murdered in an early morning attack in Derry has been named locally as Eddie Meenan from the city’s Bogside area.
Police said Mr Meenan (52), a father-of-nine, sustained significant injuries to his head and body in an attack in the Little Diamond area of the city early yesterday. His body was discovered close to his home in an alleyway between Creggan Street and Little Diamond, just yards from St Eugene’s Catholic Cathedral.
Two people, a 35-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man, were last night arrested on suspicion of murder and were being questioned by police.
Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan said police were called to the scene shortly before 2.45am after receiving a report that a body had been found in the alleyway.
“I am appealing for anyone who was in the Creggan Street or Little Diamond area of the city late last night or early this (Sunday) morning and who witnessed anything or anyone who has information that can assist with my investigation to contact detectives,” Mr Corrigan said.
The area around Creggan Street/Little Diamond remained sealed off throughout yesterday as police carried out follow-up investigations.
Neighbour and close friend of the victim, Frankie McMenamin said Mr Meenan was a member of a well-respected Bogside family. Originally from the city’s Rossville flats, he had been living in the Little Diamond for many years.
“Eddie was a lovely, lovely man. He was good, kind and very sensitive. He was gentle and decent. Eddie was very popular in this community; he kept himself to himself but would have gone out of his way to help anyone in need,” Mr McMenamin said.
He said the Meenan family was still trying to come to terms with the death through illness of the deceased’s brother, Gary, just over two years ago. Mr McMenamin said the murder had caused great shock in the tight-knit Little Diamond community.
“People are devastated, particularly because of the nature of Eddie’s death,” he said.
SDLP assembly member Mark H Durkan said his thoughts and sympathies were with the victim’s family.
“The city has woken up to the chilling news that a man lost his life here last night,” he said.
Mr Durkan said it was vitally important that anyone with information should come forward.
Sinn Féin assembly member Karen Mullan said she was shocked by the murder.
“It’s a very tight-knit community and this is not something that we see very often,” she said.