Death in Currynierin '˜a tragedy for all'

District Judge Barney McElholm has described the events of Saturday evening in Currynierin as a 'complete tragedy for all involved'.
Gerard Quinn, left,  with his twin brother Michael. Photo: PacemakerGerard Quinn, left,  with his twin brother Michael. Photo: Pacemaker
Gerard Quinn, left, with his twin brother Michael. Photo: Pacemaker

Mr McElholm made the comment as a 16-year-old boy appeared in court charged with the murder of Gerard Quinn (24), as well as a charge of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent to the Late Mr Quinn’s twin brother, Michael.

The judge also expressed the courts condolences to Mr Quinn’s family.

The court hearing, yesterday, Tuesday, heard that police received a report of a stabbing on Tollymore Road shortly before 10.30pm.

The injured party had been stabbed in the throat and was receiving first aid from members of public when police arrived. He was not breathing and there was lots of blood.

Despite being taken to hospital and undergoing surgery, Mr Quinn died at 4.20am on Sunday.

Preliminary findings from a post mortem showed the cause of death was a stab wound to Mr Quinn’s neck caused by broken glass, which caused immediate bleeding which the victim could not have stopped.

The teenager attended the police station voluntarily after midnight and in interview admitted striking two males.

An investigating officer confirmed the teenager was in a house which Mr Quinn and his brother attended on May 21.

She said there had been a “melee involving the deceased, his brother and another 16-year-old” and confirmed that the defendant had raised self-defence of himself and others during the course of interview.

Defence counsel Paul Foster told the court there was no application for bail at this stage.

He said the defendant’s family wished to express their sincere condolences to the Quinn family, adding it was “a tragedy for that family and their own”.

The barrister said the teenager’s family also asked for there to be no repercussions.

The teenager was remanded in custody to appear in court again via videolink on June 7.