THE MAN found found murdered at a Co Derry house yesterday was a former RUC.
Detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team launched a murder investigation after the body of Brian Coulter was was discovered on the afternoon of Monday, October 18, in a downstairs flat in Sandys Brae, Magherafelt.
Locals said Mr Coulter had been battling addiction for years after switching shift with an RUC colleague who was later killed in a bomb blast.
One man remains in police custody after he was arrested on suspicion of murder the former police officer.
The senior investiagating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Raymond Phelan, said: “Just after 12.30 this afternoon, police received a report that the body of a deceased male had been found at a residential property in the Sandy Braes area of Magherafelt.
“Police attended and a man has been arrested nearby on suspicion of murder.
“My investigation is at a very early stage.
“I would appeal to anyone who was in the Sandy Braes area in recent days and who witnessed anything to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 944 of 18/10/21.”
It is the second murder in the Magherafelt area in the past week.
Last week mid-wife Katrina Rainey died in hospital after she was found in a burning car at the family home on Quarry Road in Knockloughrim.
Her 59-year-old husband Tommy Rainey appeared in court on Saturday charged with her murder and was remanded in custody.
Local SDLP politician Patsy McGlone has shared his condolences with the Mr Coulter’s family and expressed his concern about the rise of violent crime in the community.
Said the Mid Ulster MLA: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of this man who are receiving the worst news imaginable.
“Magherafelt is not an area that is used to this kind of crime so to see two murder investigations launched in the wider area in a week has been very shocking for the local community.
“People will be rightly concerned at the recent rise in violent crime and I will be liaising with police to discuss how they intend to combat this issue.
“One incident is too many and we must do everything we can to reassure local people and others that this is a safe and welcoming area.”
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