MLA Daniel McCrossan visits victim’s family after his brother faces charges in assault, now a murder probe.
Stephen Holmes, age 31, died in the hospital. He was from Strabane, County Tyrone. The cause of death was injuries from an attack that happened at his home early Monday, February 3rd. They took Stephen to Altnagelvin Hospital in County Derry.
Later, they moved him to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. Sadly, Stephen passed away there. A man, also 31, went to court Thursday, facing charges related to the attack on Stephen.
The charges included causing serious harm on purpose. Dylan McCrossan was in court via video. He is Daniel McCrossan’s brother, an SDLP MLA. Daniel McCrossan said he visited Stephen’s family, whom he has known his whole life.
He called Stephen’s death devastating and said it broke his heart. Daniel McCrossan expresses sympathy to the family and says the week’s events were tragic and extremely difficult. Losing a young life is devastating beyond words. He also said he condemns all violence.
He asks anyone with any information to call the PSNI. Police announced a murder investigation after Stephen’s death. Police got a report on February 3rd around 3:15 AM that Stephen, in his 30s, was badly attacked in Strabane’s Beechmount Village area.
Stephen Holmes was critically ill and in the hospital. He died on Saturday, February 8th, from the injuries he sustained in the assault. Officers will review the charges against the 31-year-old man who was in court February 6th and connected to the investigation.
Sinn Féin MLA Maolíosa McHugh also expressed condolences and said he was devastated by the death. The attack occurred at Stephen’s home early Monday. McHugh sympathizes with the family and says the event shocked the local community, particularly in Beechmount Village, where many young families reside. He asked anyone with information to call the PSNI.