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MLA 'heartbroken' after fatal assault involving brother

Family Handout A photo of Stephen Holmes. He is shown from the shoulders up sitting in front of a pool. He has short brown hair, and a beard. He is smiling at the camera.Family Handout
Stephen Holmes, 31, died in hospital on Saturday

An assembly member, whose brother has been charged following a fatal assault in County Tyrone, has said he is "heartbroken beyond words" after the victim died.

Father-of-two Stephen Holmes died in hospital on Saturday, days after the attack at a home in Beechmount Village in Strabane.

On Thursday, 31-year-old Dylan McCrossan appeared before Strabane Magistrates' Court charged in connection with the assault.

A murder investigation has since been launched following Mr Holmes' death, with police adding that the charges were under review.

'Devastating'

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) assembly member Daniel McCrossan said Mr Holmes' death was "devastating and heartbreaking beyond all words".

He said his thoughts were primarily with the Holmes family.

"I have known the family my entire life," he wrote on a Facebook post.

"This is a deeply heartbreaking and tragic situation of unimaginable proportions."

NI Assembly A still of Daniel McCrossan, who has short ginger hair, and is wearing a dark coloured suit jacket, a light blue collared shirt and a red tie. He is mid-speech in the Northern Ireland Assembly, with wood panelled walls behind him.NI Assembly
Daniel McCrossan is an assembly member (MLA) for West Tyrone

McCrossan said he had visited the family, and express his condolences during the "very sad and difficult time".

"What has happened is without words and something you never imagine could happen," he added.

"I am totally heartbroken beyond words and devastated for them and their loss."

The West Tyrone MLA added that he "condemns acts of violence of any nature" and urged anyone with information to contact police.

When asked if McCrossan would like to further acknowledge or directly comment on his brother's involvement, a party spokesperson declined.