Man held in Banbridge murder inquiry

A 23-year-old man arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a youth in Co Down yesterday remains in custody this morning…

A 23-year-old man arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a youth in Co Down yesterday remains in custody this morning.

A murder investigation was launched after the stabbing of 17-year-old Christopher Finnegan in Banbridge.

He died after being stabbed in a house in Erinvale Terrace at around 2.30 a.m. He was taken to Daisy Hill hospital in Newry, where he later died.

Detectives are appealing for information.

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The detective heading the inquiry, Superintendent Andrew Hunter, revealed yesterday the man being questioned was arrested after a police chase.

"The offender was identified at the scene and ran off when police officers attended. He was pursued by police on foot and eventually arrested. He remains in custody and police are currently taking statements from members of the public who were present in the house at the time," Supt Hunter said.

"We do not believe this incident is sectarian - but that it may be a domestic incident of some sort.

"We are investigating a number of lines of inquiry and CCTV footage from the area is also being looked at but we have not yet established a motive for this tragic death."

Meanwhile, a  man (32) from Newry who was arrested by police investigating the death of a car dealer last month has been freed without charge.

The body of Mr Pat Keenan (60) was found at his house in Carnhill Drive, Newry,  on June 26th. He had suffered severe head injuries.

Police originally believed he may have died during a burglary and investigated the disappearance of a red Mercedes car from outside his home.  The car was located two days later.