Authorities are continuing their interrogation of a suspect believed to be involved in the fatal incident concerning a 69-year-old man in Co Down. The victim, recognised as Bobbie McKee, was pronounced dead at a property on Newcastle Road in Kilkeel. The shocking discovery was made following a distress call regarding the safety of a couple in the property, leading the officers to the scene on Thursday.
Mrs. McKee, similar in age to her husband, was found in the house suffering severe head wounds. She is currently hospitalised, where she remains in a stable state. A youthful man of 25 was detained as a suspect, potentially linked to both the murder and attempted murder last Thursday. The PSNI confirmed, “A 36-hour extension was given to the major investigation unit probing the tragic killing of Bobbie McKee, permitting further interrogations over the detained suspect.”
The authorities communicated to the public that the incident under investigation did not involve firearms, asking anyone with crucial information to come forward. A PSNI public release on social media confirmed that they currently weren’t pursuing any other suspects in connection to the murder.
Mr. McKee’s tragic death has prompted an outpour of condolences, particularly given his familial connection to the former MLA of South Down, Harold McKee, a known figure within the Traditional Unionist Voice party. Both party leader Jim Allister and Diane Forsythe, DUP MLA for South Down, expressed their shock and sorrow over the horrifying incident, deeming Mr. McKee a respected individual. Colin McGrath, SDLP MLA for South Down, commented on the awful impact of the event on the wider community.