Priest tells of family's grief after nightclub death

A priest spoke today of a family’s grief as a 20-year-old man died without regaining consciousness after being beaten up outside a nightclub in Portrush, Co Antrim.

Father Sean Emerson said Chris Whitson’s parents, brother and sister had mounted a bedside vigil in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital as he fought for his life.

“They wanted to spend precious time with Chris, to be with him as much as they could as they knew the likelihood of him getting better was slim,” Fr Emerson said.

“It was heartbreaking for them letting Chris go but they were prepared for it in as much as they could be.”

Mr Whitson, from Strathmore Park in the north of the city, died last night from head injuries he received in an attack outside Kelly’s nightclub in the Co Antrim seaside resort 10 days ago.

The club is to shut on the day of Mr Whitson’s funeral as a mark of respect to the Dundee University student.

In a statement, the management said: “We continue to cooperate fully with the authorities in an attempt to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”

The club also extended its “deepest sympathy to the Whitson family at this saddest of times”.

“As a mark of respect, the Kelly’s complex will remain closed on the day of Christopher’s funeral,” the statement added.

Nationalist SDLP assembly member John Dallat expressed the condolences of the Portrush community to the family of Mr Whitson, adding that people in the area were “deeply saddened” by what had happened.

The East Derry MLA said: “We had been hoping in recent days that Chris would recover but we have now learned that God has called him home.

“I hope his death will not be in vain and that young people will realise that if you settle scores through violence, it does not get anybody anywhere.

“In this case, a very dear price has been paid.”

Mr Whitson had been at the club celebrating his brother’s birthday with friends when the incident occurred.

He is the second person to die after being attacked near Kelly’s nightclub.

Guy Harper, 25, died from head injuries after he was attacked by a gang on his way home from the club in March 2000.

The attack came just weeks after the niece of SDLP MP Eddie McGrady was found dead on Strand Beach in the nearby town of Portstewart in February.

Julie Hamill was last seen alive leaving Kelly’s nightclub.

Mr Whitson’s death led to the adjournment of a bail application by two men charged with causing him grevious bodily harm.

Defence counsel for David Gaston, 20, from Eglish Road and Gary Davison, a 28-year-old van driver from Carnstron Road, both in Broughshane, Co Antrim, had sought the adjournment following what they described as Mr Whitson’s “tragic death”.

A police spokesman said tonight that the investigation into the incident was ongoing.