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Three remain in custody after suspected murder

PSNI Mark Dorrian is wearing a bright blue t-shirt and has short brown hair. He is looking directly at the camera. PSNI
Mark Dorrian was 50 years old

Three people who were arrested on suspicion of the murder of a man in Newtownards, County Down, remain in custody after police were granted a 36-hour extension.

Mark Dorrian, who was 50 years old, was reported to be unconscious at a block of flats in West Street shortly before 01:50 GMT on Boxing Day.

He was taken to hospital where he died later that day.

Mr Dorrian sustained a number of injuries, including head injuries and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course, police have said.

Two women, aged 33 and 58, were arrested at the scene in West Street on Thursday.

A 36-year-old man was arrested at a nearby address on Thursday afternoon.

Strangford MP Jim Shannon, said the situation was "incredibly sad".

"At this time there is a family grieving in Newtownards and everyone of us in Newtownards - elected representatives and indeed local residents - our concerns are for the immediate family, for their sorrow at this time," he said.

Pacemaker The flats on West Street in Newtownards seen in daylight. The exterior of the three-storey building is a mix of red brick, cut stone and white render. It has a angled roof on one side and a glazed atrium housing a central staircase. A police car remains parked outside. Pacemaker
A police car remained at the scene on Friday morning

"The gentleman concerned used to be in the Boys' Brigade in Newtownards," Shannon told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.

The Boys' Brigade is a Christian organisation for children and young people aged between five and 18.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP added that he believed the dead man's family have strong links to the town and many residents would know the victim personally from his younger years in the brigade.

He described West Street as a "quiet spot" where families had been enjoying Christmas while "this sorry tale was unfolding just around them".

"We all think of the family who suffer and grieve for their loved one who is no longer with them today," Shannon added.