Arrest in newtownbutler wedding murder investigation

Detectives from Serious Crime Branch investigating the murder of 63-year-old Longford-native Bernard McGinley at a wedding in Newtownbutler last week have arrested a 46-year-old man in Belfast.

Detective Chief Inspector Una Jennings said the suspect was being questioned at a police station in the city, and police enquiries are continuing.

A priest officiating at Mr McGinley's funeral this week appealed for feuding members of the Travelling community to turn its back on further violence.

Survived by his wife of 41-years Bridget, nine children and 49 grandchildren, Mr McGinley was laid to rest in Athlone where he lived on Monday afternoon last, February 16, amid a large garda presence.

In his Homily, Father Turlough Baxter told the congregation of more than 500 attending the funeral at Saint Mary's Church in the town: “Violence can never be the answer, because all that it does is foster more hurt and violence and delays the day of Justice.”

Quoting the words of Jesus as written in the Bible, ‘love your enemies, and do good to those who hurt you', Fr Baxter said: “These words may seem hard to live by when we feel such pain and anger. But they are the only way to truly find a new way of life.

Amid fears of an all-out feud within the Travelling community, Fr Baxter added: “Our life is such a precious gift, so often it is only when someone is taken from us that we come to truly appreciate what they have meant to us. Today all you who shared so much of life with Barney have come to see that.”

Mr McGinley was shot in the chest outside St Mary’s chapel, Newtownbutler last week where the Longford-native was a guest at a wedding.

He was driven by other guests to Lisnaskea police station from where he was flown by police helicopter to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen for treatment but later tragically died.

Its understood the weapon used in the murder of Mr McGinley may have been home-made in origin.

Police subsequently launched a murder investigation and have appealed to those involved in the killing to give themselves up.

A second man was also injured, believed to have been stabbed with a machete during the brutal attack, but his injuries are not believed to have been life-threatening.

Officer leading the investigation Mr McGinley's death, Detective Chief Inspector Una Jennings from the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch says police are following a number of very definite lines of enquiry.

“My appeal today is for those individuals who were involved in the confrontation with Bernard McGinley and other guests in Main Street, and who drove off, to make themselves available to police.

“We are working with our colleagues in An Garda Siochana to locate those individuals. We know who they are. It would be better for all concerned if they made themselves available to police as soon as possible so that we can build a complete picture of what happened yesterday and the background to those tragic events.”

Det Jennings concluded by saying: “I would appeal to those involved to think about what has happened and to think about the prospect of a life of constantly looking over their shoulder, fearing arrest or possible retribution. It would be so much better for them, and for all concerned, to come forward and make themselves available to police before any further bloodshed.”

The couple whose wedding Mr McGinley was attending, between Matilda McGinley (17) and Jimmy Connors (16) went ahead as planned at the request of the couple despite the violent incident taking place on the main street, and next to a local primary school.

PSNI subsequently cordoned off the area where the incident took place, and the road through the town was closed for some time as members of the force carried out detailed forensic of the scene.

Fr Michael King, the priest who conducted the wedding said the bride was “a bit traumatised”, but he had reassured her she would be safe inside the church.

It is understood after the wedding, the bride, groom, their families and guests left the scene and crossed the Border towards Co Cavan where the wedding reception is reported to have taken place.

Assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tom Elliott described the attack as “horrific”, saying that it was “very worrying” certain people have access to firearms and are willing to use them in such circumstances.

“There is a significant onus on police to ensure that these criminals are caught and that the courts ensure they are locked up for a long period,” he said.