Murder probe launched after death following pub altercation

A man died after an altercation thought to have begun in a Belfast pub, police said.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Apr 2017, 16:41 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 19:05 BST
Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes during a press conference at PSNI HQ in Belfast where he appealed for information following the death of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes during a press conference at PSNI HQ in Belfast where he appealed for information following the death of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.
Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes during a press conference at PSNI HQ in Belfast where he appealed for information following the death of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after Paul McCready, aged 31 and from north Belfast, died in hospital after injuries sustained during a fight in the Donegall Street area of the city centre.

Police appealed for anyone in the Northern Whig bar at the time of the dispute shortly after midnight on Sunday morning to come forward.

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The incident continued onto the street outside and ended with one man dead.

Undated handout photo issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.Undated handout photo issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.
Undated handout photo issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes, from the PSNI's serious crime branch, said the victim was father to two children aged under 10.

"Tragically they have now been left today with a long life ahead of them with no dad."

He said a number of people were assisting police and asked for anyone with video or photographs to contact detectives.

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A man aged 30 who was arrested at the scene remains in custody.

Undated handout photo issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.Undated handout photo issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.
Undated handout photo issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland of Paul McCready who died from injuries sustained in an altercation on Donegall Street, Belfast on Sunday.

Police have said a large number of people were in the vicinity at around the time the incident took place.

Mr Geddes added: "An altercation can very quickly lead to someone losing their life and we have seen in the past that one punch can, in fact, kill someone."

Little information was released about the circumstances.

The senior detective said it seemed as if the victim had an altercation with another man inside the pub which continued onto the street outside.

Several videos have been made available to police already.

Related topics:BelfastPolicePSNI