A male has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after a man was found dead next to a seriously injured young girl in Co Tyrone, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has said.
In a statement, the police said the man’s body was found in a house in the Lisnahull Road area of Dungannon. The arrested male remains in police custody.
Police urge public to avoid area
Police have urged members of the public to avoid the area. A terraced house in the estate has been sealed off, with a number of officers and police cars in the area. A forensic officer, dressed in a white suit, was seen at the property with an evidence bag. A trampoline can be seen in the garden of the house.
Screams could be heard from a large group of people who have gathered in the area, including some family members.
Councillor describes serious incident
Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Varsani, who is also chairwoman of Mid Ulster District Council, said: “Our understanding is, as confirmed by police, that a man is dead and another person has been arrested and that there is a child injured and in the Royal Victoria Hospital.
“Obviously, it has been upgraded to what we suspected would be a serious domestic incident. Any time there is an incident of this nature it brings a great deal of concern. When reports come out that there may be a child involved or injured in any way that escalates it in terms of people’s reaction.
“We are dealing with what is confirmed as a serious incident and will take some time for us to get more details and deal with the fallout from that and how the community will be feeling and need supported during this time.
“We hope that our homes are the most safe place for us but when domestic incidents of this nature happen, it really does reinforce that everyone needs to get on board with trying to help society move forward, where people speak up and try to get to grips with what can be at time very serious incidents that happen in the home.”
Ambulance response
In a statement, a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance said that it received an emergency call shortly after 11am on Saturday. They said that one patient was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
