NI Security Officer Dies In Afghanistan

A Northern Ireland man has died in war-torn Afghanistan.

As it emerged at the weekend that another three British soldiers had been killed in Afghanistan, a former regular soldier from Co Londonderry has also died while working as a private security guard.

Stewart Murray, 40, who is from Ballykelly, was tragically killed while on route home.

It is understood he was caught in an ambush, but it's not clear yet whether it was a bomb or gun attack.

While in Afghanistan on a civilian basis, he was still a serving member of the Territorial Army and held the rank of staff sergeant.

He is thought to have been on his second stint in Afghanistan after leaving the Army in 2006, following 21 years' service.

His widow was expecting him back this week and it's thought he may have been killed after leaving a day early to travel home.

Mr Murray was a former Royal Irish Regiment soldier.

His grieving family's local priest, Fr Edward Gallagher, who has been comforting Mr Murray's widow and children, said the news was just beginning to sink in.

He told the BBC this morning: "A very difficult aspect of this is that Stuart's death has occurred halfway across the world so there's the distance involved and perhaps the length of time it will take to bring Stuart home again," he said.

See: Many More Die In Afghanistan

(BMcC/KMcA)