PSNI questions woman over Derry death

Police in Derry are questioning a woman following the death of a Donegal man in his family home on Wednesday night, writes George…

Police in Derry are questioning a woman following the death of a Donegal man in his family home on Wednesday night, writes George Jackson.

The PSNI has described as "suspicious" the death of Mr Paddy Gallagher (49), who was originally from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal.

It is believed that during an incident in his home at Elaghmore Park in Galliagh, Mr Gallagher fell to the floor in the front living-room of his home and sustained a fatal head injury.

Mr Gallagher was married just four weeks ago and was due to have gone on a family holiday next week. Mrs Ellen Gallagher, whose previous husband died five years ago following a serious illness, has four children between 14 and 20 from her previous marriage.

READ MORE

Mr Gallagher, who had moved to Derry two years ago, was found dead by ambulance paramedics who had been called to the scene.

The ambulance crew immediately informed the police. During the police investigation at the Gallagher family home that night, stones, bottles and a petrol-bomb were thrown at police officers by a crowd of about 30 youths over three hours.

Father Shane Bradley of St Joseph's Church in Galliagh, where Mr and Mrs Gallagher were married four weeks ago, said the community was stunned by the death.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday.