Tributes to Newcastle murder victim (29)
Two are held over death of ‘vulnerable’ man in flat
NEIGHBOURS have paid tribute to a “very vulnerable young man” who was murdered inside a flat in Co Down.
Padraig Fox (29) was found dead at around 1.45pm on Saturday inside a property on Burrendale Park Road in Newcastle. He had only moved into the block of flats a few months ago.
It is understood his body was discovered in a neighbour’s flat. It is not yet clear what happened inside the property.
Yesterday detectives were given an additional 36 hours to interrogate a 26-year-old man who has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A 21-year-old man has also been arrested. He was last night in police custody assisting with enquiries.
While police continued the murder probe yesterday, local residents described how CCTV cameras installed on their properties show the victim arriving home at around 6.15am with a number of men.
“They left within three hours and then the next thing Paddy was found dead,” one distressed neighbour said.
“It’s disgusting to think that he was left there alone like that.”
Thomas Menagh (47), who lives in the same building, paid tribute to his friend who “never got into trouble” and “never drank alcohol”.
“I always kept an eye on him, he was a very vulnerable young man,” he said. “He was a good kid who would do anything for anyone. He didn’t deserve this.”
Mr Menagh offered his condolences to Padraig’s mum Marie, who he said regularly visited her son at his new home.
“She should have been looking forward to helping her son celebrate Christmas in his new home, but now she’s getting ready to bury him,” he added.
One of Padraig’s two sisters lives just a few miles from where her brother was killed.
The murder inquiry was launched when the results of a post-mortem came back on Sunday afternoon.
Another shocked neighbour said her 14-year-old daughter has been left badly shaken and unable to sleep as a result of the incident. “It’s a terrifying thing for a teenager to take in,” the woman said.
The mother-of-four also said Padraig had “a heart of gold” and “made many new friends” despite only being in the area a short time.
“He went out of his way to help people and everyone had a wee soft spot for him,” she said.
Other residents also expressed frustration about ongoing anti-social behaviour in the area, which has left people too scared to leave their homes at night.
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath described the murder as “a chilling tragedy” which has stunned everyone in the community and offered his condolences to the victim’s family.