Londonderry musician in Manchester speaks of shock across city

Patrick McDonagh is a singer-songwriter from the city who moved to Manchester two years ago after securing a place at the The British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM).

He said: "The entire city, including myself and my close friends just seem to have been struggling to get our heads around what’s happened.

"It came as a total shock and I can’t even put into words how it feels when something like this happens so close to the place I’ve called home for nearly two years.

"The fact that it happened at a musical concert that so many children attended is just absolutely heartbreaking.

"There is such a sombre atmosphere here this morning."

A total of 22 people have been killed and 59 injured following the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena last night.

Police are now trying to establish whether the suicide bomber who carried out the atrocity was acting alone or was part of a terrorist network.

Patrick said Manchester Arena attracts major artists from all over the world.

"I was there in March of last year while Adele was on tour and intend to be back later this year to see Emeli Sande.

"It’s such an incredible venue. It houses up to 21,000 people and its the biggest indoor arena in Europe so it’s a venue that tends to attract the biggest global superstars."