Father killed in stabbing

The death of a father of four who was stabbed just yards from his Newry, Co Down, home has left his community "stunned".

The death of a father of four who was stabbed just yards from his Newry, Co Down, home has left his community "stunned".

Police have launched a murder inquiry and were questioning a man yesterday.

Stefan Loughran was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry. Detectives believed he was stabbed at least twice only a short distance away from his home in the Derrybeg estate at about 7.30pm yesterday. He was allegedly stabbed in the groin and in the back using a knife and a screwdriver.

Sources said he was trying to break up a fight. Claims that Mr Loughran was confronting someone who allegedly assaulted his son were also being investigated.

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A spokeswoman for his employers, Clanrye Taxis, said: "He was a brilliant fella who would do anything for anybody".

Mr Loughran was also a part-time photographer for the Newry Democrat. His former colleague, Donal O'Reilly, described him as the "perfect colleague".

Conor Murphy, the Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh, said: "The community was shocked by the incident. The family are very popular and well-respected."