Man found dead in Co Down named locally as brother of former unionist politician

Tributes paid to Bobby McKee, brother of former MLA Harold McKee, who was killed following an incident in Kilkeel

The PSNI has launched a murder inquiry and a 25-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remained in police custody on Friday. Photograph: iStock
The PSNI has launched a murder inquiry and a 25-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remained in police custody on Friday. Photograph: iStock

Tributes have been paid to a man in his 60s who was killed in an incident in Co Down.

The man, named locally as Bobby McKee, died on Thursday.

A woman is also being treated for head injuries following an incident at a property in the Newcastle Road area of Kilkeel.

Police have launched a murder inquiry, and said it is not being treated as a firearms-related incident.

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A 25-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remained in police custody on Friday.

Mr McKee has been remembered as a “Christian gentleman and friend to many”. He is the brother of former unionist MLA and councillor Harold McKee.

In a social media post, the TUV’s south Down branch said: “We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Harold, Maura, Mrs McKee and the family circle on the tragic death of Harold’s brother Bobby.

“Bobby was a real Christian gentleman and friend to many.”

On Thursday night, Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly said police received a report of concern for the safety of a couple at a property in the Newcastle Road area of the town shortly after 12.50pm.

“On arrival, officers located the body of a man who was unconscious and not breathing,” he said.

“A woman, aged in her 60s, was also inside the house with serious head injuries.

“Medical treatment was provided to the woman at the scene – and she has since been taken to hospital for treatment to her injuries.

“She remains in a stable condition at this time.

“The man was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.”

He said police arrested the 25-year-old man at around 2pm on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe described a “lovely family”, adding what happened was “absolutely shocking and horrific”.

“This is absolutely devastating and heartbreaking for Kilkeel and the wider Mourne area,” she told the BBC.

“It’s fair to say the community is completely numb as the news broke yesterday.

“This is a well-known family who we just all have in our thoughts and prayers at this devastating time.”

SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath has said the entire community has been left shocked and devastated.

“This news is simply horrific and my thoughts and prayers are with the McKee family and their wider circle,” he said.

“People right across this area have been left shocked and devastated by what has taken place here, many in Kilkeel can’t believe what has happened in their community.

“This is a close-knit community who will take some time to come to terms with this incident which has left a dark cloud over the area.” - PA