POLICE INVESTIGATING an incident in Derry in the early hours of yesterday in which one man was killed and another critically injured believe that a blunt, heavy instrument, possibly a hammer, was used to inflict horrific head injuries on both victims.
The man killed in the incident was named locally as Paddy Harkin, in his late 30s or early 40s. His body was found in his Bayview Terrace second-floor flat minutes after a man left the flat and ran across the road and into the city’s PSNI headquarters in Strand Road.
When police officers minutes later entered the flat they found Mr Harkin’s body and another man with critical head injuries.
The man who alerted the police to the incident had also sustained severe head injuries and was bleeding heavily. After he was treated in Altnagelvin hospital, he was arrested and taken back to Strand Road police station for questioning.
It is understood he comes from England, and yesterday evening officers were continuing to question him.
The critically injured man was initially treated for his wounds in Altnagelvin hospital, before he was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
As members of Mr Harkin’s family visited the police station yesterday morning, Fr Michael Canny, administrator of the nearby St Eugene’s Cathedral, arrived at the sealed-off scene.
“This is simply dreadful. My prayers and thoughts are with the family of the deceased and with the family of the injured man who is now fighting for his life.”
Local SDLP councillor Mark Durkan described the incident as a tragedy.
“This morning we have one man dead and one man fighting for survival in hospital with very bad head injuries.
“Like so many people, I am shocked that an incident of this kind has taken place here so close to an old people’s home. It has been an awful morning for the two families.”
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson said she was shocked when she received the news.
“Everyone is shocked at what has happened here this morning and, like so many people, my thoughts are with the families whose lives have been so tragically affected by these tragic events.”
Scene-of-crime officers who entered the flat removed several items from the premises.