Sectarian motive not ruled out in murder

THE RUC has launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Dungannon, Co Tyrone

THE RUC has launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Dungannon, Co Tyrone. A taxi driver found Mr Niall Donovan (28) lying on the Manse Road around 4 a.m. on Sunday. He is believed to have suffered a stab wound to his stomach.

Detectives are investigating the possibility that the murder was sectarian. Mr Donovan, from Greystown Park on the Upper Malone Road in Belfast, had been staying with relatives in Dungannon. His family are well known in the area. He is understood to have been drinking earlier at a nightspot in the town and was last seen alive at 2.30 a.m. in a chip shop. He was admitted to South Tyrone Hospital but died 14 hours later.

A post mortem examination was completed yesterday but the RUC did not release the details. Mr Donovan worked as a bank official in Belfast. His father is a former bank manager. Detectives investigating the murder have set up an incident room in Dungannon. They are anxious to talk to anyone who saw Mr Donovan shortly before his death.