Northern Ireland police launch two murder inquiries

Northern Ireland police have launched two separate investigations into the murder of two men in Counties Londonderry and Tyrone at the weekend.

The two men, both in their fifties, were found dead in their homes on Saturday 3 October.

The police said they believed the man murdered in Coleraine in County Londonderry was beaten to death. The body of 54-year-old Joseph Black, who lived alone, was found at his house on Saturday morning. Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Inspector Nigel Kyle appealed to the public to come forward with any information about the murder of Mr Black who was killed at his Lambeth Way home. He described the victim as a harmless, inoffensive man who had suffered “horrific injuries” during a beating. He said: “I would urge anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious to get in touch. We would also be very keen to establish his movements and who he was with in the hours leading up to the discovery of his body at around 9.15am.”

Meanwhile, in Strabane in County Tyrone, William Patterson, aged 59, was found dead at his home on the Ballycolman Estate. He had suffered head injuries. It is understood the police are following a line of inquiry that the death may be linked to a domestic dispute, and are treating it as a murder inquiry. Two men, both from Strabane, appeared in Enniskillen Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to the murder on Monday November 5. Mr Patterson’s son Robert Paterson, aged 33 has been charged with the murder of his father, and Michael Doherty, aged 35, has been charged with withholding information in relation to the murder. Both men denied the charges and have been remanded in custody. (AMcE)