Death of man in Newry not suspicious, says PSNI

POLICE say that they are not treating the death of a man in Newry at the weekend as suspicious despite a post-mortem being inconclusive.

The body of Mark Leonard, who was in his 30s, was found in a house in The Marshes housing development on Old Warrenpoint Road around 9.30am on Sunday.

His funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon in the city.

Requiem Mass will be held at 1pm at St Catherine’s Church on Dominic Street.

Mr Leonard’s remains will then be interred in Monkshill cemetery.

Speaking at the weekend, independent councillor David Hyland, who knows the Leonard family, said the community had been left “in shock that someone so young had passed away”.

“It’s sad that such a tragedy should befall someone, and my thoughts are with their family,” he said.

“This is a time when people should be looking forward to celebrations with their loved ones.”

SDLP councillor Gary Stokes added: “To lose a life, particularly a young life which has been cut off in its prime, is a huge shock for the family.

“I would like to offer my condolences to them.

“This is a terrible tragedy to happen in the run-up to Christmas.”

Mr Leonard is survived by his parents Geraldine and Joseph, brother Kevin, sister Deborah, brother-in-law Paul and nephews Conor and James.