Mother found murder victim 'covered in blood'
A COUSIN of Armagh murder victim Kevin Fletcher has revealed how his mother found her son lying on the couch "covered in blood".
Neilley Nixon said Kevin's family were distraught following the discovery of his body at his Castle Street apartment in the shadow of St Patrick's Church of Ireland cathedral at the weekend.
Police launched a murder investigation after his body was discovered on Friday morning.
Mr Nixon, who is a cousin of Mr Fletcher's mum Mary Francis, said Kevin had been with his mother at bingo in Armagh city on Thursday night.
He explained that Kevin's dad, also called Kevin, had picked up his wife and son at the bingo venue in Dobbin Street and dropped his son at his Castle Street apartment at around 10.30pm on Thursday night.
The next day his mother arrived at Kevin's apartment with some dinner. "Kevin's girlfriend had arrived at just the same time and she had keys to open the door. They found Kevin lying on the couch covered in blood," said Mr Nixon.
"The family are distraught. They are totally devastated. There has been so much speculation about it that it is making the family worse," he said.
"His mum is particularly distraught as she has not been well herself and to find her son like that was just awful," he said.
Mr Nixon said Kevin was "a bit of a loner" who "kept himself to himself" adding that he couldn't understand who would want to kill him. He explained that Kevin had been ill and not able to work but was well known in Armagh city. "He was not a big drinker and rarely went to pubs," he said.
"He never did any harm to anyone and just kept himself to his own wee set of friends," said Mr Nixon.
"He was very close to his mum and spent a lot of time with her," he said, adding: "It is very stressful for the whole family."
He appealed to anyone with information about his cousin's death to contact the police.
One woman said: "This is a quiet area and we can't take in what happened, and Kevin certainly didn't deserve this. Nobody does.
"The Fletchers are a well known family in Armagh and well respected. Kevin was unemployed and lived a quiet life."
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley said people in Armagh are startled by the murder. “Any murder is chilling but when it takes place on your doorstep it is particularly harrowing.
“The Castle Street area of Armagh is a very quiet area and residents are deeply concerned that this young man’s life has been taken so close to their homes.
“I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the victim’s family who must be going through a terrible ordeal and I appeal for the local community to cooperate with the police so that this crime can be resolved as soon as possible.”
Sinn Fein Councillor Noel Sheridan said the community was in shock after the murder and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
A police spokeswoman said a post mortem had been carried out on Saturday.
Police are keen to hear from anyone who was in contact with the victim between 10.30pm on Thursday, September 2 and 11.45am on Friday September 3.
The numbers to call are 0845 600 8000 or the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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