Northern Ireland

Police no longer treating Derry or Armagh deaths as suspicious

Police sealed off the house where the man's body was found early on New Year's Day. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Police sealed off the house where the man's body was found early on New Year's Day. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Police sealed off the house where the man's body was found early on New Year's Day. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

The death of a man whose body was found at a house at Lincoln Court in Derry’s Waterside is no longer being treated as suspicious.

Five people arrested after the discovery have also been released unconditionally, a police spokesman has confirmed.

Police sealed off the house and surrounding alleyways after the deceased’s body was found early on New Year’s Day. The cordon remained in place until yesterday afternoon.

Four men, aged 63,33,32 and 31, were arrested at the scene along with a 32-year-old woman but were later released on police bail and then unconditionally.

PSNI detective inspector, Eamonn Corrigan said a post mortem examination was carried out on the deceased and as a result police were no longer treating the death as suspicious.

Mr Corrigan said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this difficult time and I would like to thank the local community for giving us space to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.”

Sinn Féin councillor for the Waterside, Christopher Jackson said the sudden death had shocked the local community.

“My sympathies are with the family and friends of this man at this time,” Mr Jackson said.

Meanwhile, the sudden death of a woman in Co Armagh on New Year's Day is also not being treated as suspicious, police have said.

The PSNI had sealed off the house at Esker Park, Killylea, yesterday as investigations and a post-mortem were carried out.

Officers had been called to the village, about five miles outside Armagh City, after reports of the death.

It is understood the woman lived alone and that police were alerted by a neighbour who had become concerned there was no activity at the house.