Police appeal as man dies after street brawl in city
POLICE probing the death of a man in Londonderry on Sunday have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
The death followed a bar brawl in Beechwood Avenue which spilled out onto the street early on Sunday morning.
The man was named locally as Jimmy Boyle, of Clon Elagh, in the Galliagh area of the city. Mr Boyle, who was in his 50s, died the morning after the incident.
The fight happened in the Creggan area after a scuffle broke out earlier at a family celebration in a local pub.
It is not yet known if Mr Boyle died of injuries received, or from natural causes. A post mortem is to be carried out.
In a statement last night, PSNI Detective Inspector Michael Winters said: “A number of incidents took place in this area between 1.15am and 1.45am. After a scuffle inside licensed premises on Beechwood Avenue, those involved were moved outside, where the altercation continued.
“This was an ongoing fight involving up to 10 people and although initially it broke up outside the pub, it then flared up again just down the street outside a fast food outlet.
“Although one man — who we believe may have been involved — died later in the day, his death is not being directly linked to an assault at this time and the post mortem examination is continuing,” the officer said.
“I would appeal to anyone who saw anything in the early hours of Sunday morning that might help with our enquiries, to get in touch with us on the non-emergency number 101.”
Foyle SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan last night described Mr Boyle’s death as “tragic”.
“The thoughts of the whole community will be with his family at this time,” he said.