Quick actions by police gave girl, 8, a "fighting chance" after Tyrone attack

The shocking incident unfolded in the Dungannon area of Co Tyrone on Saturday, with the deceased a man aged 61-years-old.

On Monday, the PSNI confirmed they had been granted an additional 36 hours to question a teenager, 16, on the alleged murder.

A woman, aged 48, was also injured during the incident. The woman is understood to have been the wife of the victim. She has since been released from hospital.

The man who died has not been named to date, but has been reported to have been a native of Guinea-Bissau, who had called Northern Ireland his home for more than two decades.

An update from investigating PSNI officers on Monday confirmed they had received a call "just after 10.55am" on Saturday regarding an ongoing disturbance at a home in the Lisnahull area of Dungannon.

Mid Ulster District Commander, Superintendent Peter Stevenson said: "Officers arrived a short time later and discovered the body of a man aged 61, his 48-year-old wife, who had sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and their severely injured eight-year-old daughter."

He added that first aid was immediately commenced on the woman and girl.

"I am in no doubt that their quick-thinking actions gave the young girl a fighting chance of survival," the Superintendent continued. "She is now in a stable condition in hospital."

Superintendent Stevenson confirmed the arrest of a teenager, who remained in custody.
 
He extended his sympathies to the family of the loved ones.

"Specialist officers are supporting the wider family circle, and we are liaising with the relevant Consulate," the Superintendent detailed. "We would ask that the public avoid speculation.

"I want to repeat that we do not believe that there is any ongoing risk to the public and, at this stage, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation."

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.