A murder investigation has been launched after a man was found dead alongside a seriously injured young girl in the Lisnahull Road area of Dungannon, Co Tyrone. A male has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in police custody.
Emergency response and hospital care
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the seriously injured child is a young girl. She was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children following the incident.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) reportedly received a 999 call at 11.08am on Saturday. A helicopter crew, three emergency crews, one advanced care paramedic, two ambulance officers and one HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) crew were dispatched to the scene.
Police presence and forensic examination
A heavy police presence remains in the area, where a terraced house has been sealed off with a number of officers and police cars nearby. A forensic officer dressed in a white suit was also seen at the property with an evidence bag.
Screams could be heard from a large group of people who had gathered in the area, including some family members. Police have urged members of the public to avoid the area while enquiries continue.
Official statements and local reaction
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation after a man was found dead alongside a seriously injured child in the Lisnahull Road area of Dungannon this morning, Saturday, 29th August.
"A male has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in police custody at this time. A further update will follow in due course."
Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Varsani, who is also chairwoman of Mid Ulster District Council, said: "My understanding is that there was a very serious domestic incident, certainly indications are towards the serious end of domestic incidents.
"There is a strong police presence in the area today, trying to carry out investigations and find out and establish what happened.
"We never confirm any of the details until the police would give those full details, but certainly it is a long-standing member of the local community who have been here a good number of years.
"There appears to be a strong sense of shock and trauma and again we ask people to be respectful of the news that might be coming out, and if you have any information, even the smallest piece of information, to please pass that on to police."
Investigation status
Police had initially described the incident as a "serious assault" and asked members of the public to avoid the Lisnahull Road area while enquiries continued. The investigation was subsequently declared a murder inquiry after officers confirmed a man had been found dead alongside the seriously injured child.
The male arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder remains in police custody.
