Suspect quizzed after nightclub car park killing

Murder squad detectives were tonight questioning a suspect after a man was hit by a car and killed in a nightclub car park.

Sean Mimnagh, 21, died almost instantly after the alleged attack in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

As the victim’s distraught parents struggled to cope with a second road tragedy in the family, forensic tests were carried out on a car seized by police.

Detectives believe two men were in a maroon Vauxhall Cavalier that allegedly drove at Mr Mimnagh outside the Glengannon Hotel.

Witnesses said the car left the scene following the fatal collision at around 2.30am.

The dead man, a talented Gaelic Games Hurler, had made the 30 mile trip from his home at Strule Park, Omagh for a night out at the hotel’s Club Matrix.

One theory being examined is that a row may have flared earlier inside the venue.

Police hunting those involved said frontal damage would have been caused to the car due to the severity of the impact.

They later found a Cavalier matching its description in the Greystone area of Dungannon and launched a murder inquiry.

It is understood the man being questioned was arrested after walking into Dungannon police station.

Friends said Mr Mimnagh’s parents, John and Teresa, were shattered by his death.

“They are in absolute and complete shock, their world has just been taken away from them,” one of those who comforted them revealed.

“Sean lost his uncle one Christmas morning years ago.

“He was knocked down and killed in a complete accident on the Gortin Road in Omagh, just beside the Silverbirch Hotel.

“Another uncle died from cancer a few months back, and now they have this to deal with.

“They’re a big family and Sean’s grandmother is still alive. She’s bearing a lot of the burden.”

It is believed the victim, a single man, was waiting for a taxi to take him back to Omagh when the tragedy happened.

Neighbours learned of his death during Sunday mass at the Sacred Heart Church in the market town where his funeral will be held on Wednesday.

His hurling friends in Co Tyrone were also grieving over the death of a team-mate they affectionately nicknamed Mingsy.

The officer heading up the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Pat Steele, urged any witnesses to contact police in Dungannon.

He said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who was in the Matrix Club at the Glengannon Hotel last night and saw anything suspicious, or anyone who saw a maroon coloured Vauxhall Cavalier in the car park area after closing time.”