Police quiz man over tragic hit and run incident

POLICE were last night continuing to question a man who handed himself in after a fatherof-two was discovered fatally injured on a south Armagh road.

The PSNI confirmed they were treating the death of Michael ‘Cooks’ Kirk, aged in his 40s and originally from Inniskeen in Co Monaghan, as a hit and run.

A 35-year-old man presented himself to police on Sunday evening and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.

Mr Kirk, who had been living in Co Cavan, was discovered around 5am on Sunday around two miles outside Crossmaglen lying on Blaney Road.

He had suffered head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene a short time afterwards.

Detective Inspector Michael Winters said he was continuing to appeal for information.

“I am keen to trace the last movements of Michael on the night of Saturday, August 22 and the early hours of Sunday, August 23. Did you see him in the town of Crossmaglen or walking along the Blaney Road?” he said.

“I would also like to trace the movements of a blue Audi 6. Did you see this vehicle at any time during Saturday or Sunday?

“We would also encourage anyone who may have been travelling on this road between midnight and 5am to check their dash cam footage.

“If you have information call us on the non-emergency number 101, reference 515 of 23/08/2020.”

Mr Kirk, from a well-known Inniskeen family, was the father of two young boys.

He worked at Manor Farm in Shercock, a chicken processing factory.

“The news of a fatal accident on the Blayney Road came as a shock to the entire community and my thoughts are with the Kirk family at this incredibly difficult time,” said Crossmaglen SDLP councillor Peter Byrne.

“I would urge anyone who travelled along the Blayney Road in the early hours of Sunday morning to pass any information they may have to the PSNI that would help shine a light on the circumstances of this tragic incident.”