Tributes to ‘lovely lad’, 22, killed in one-punch attack on beach

Darren O'Neill died in hospital after being attacked on a beach.

A young man has died after he was punched on a Northern Ireland beach during the heatwave last week.

Darren O’Neill, 22, has been identified as the victim who was killed after the one-punch attack on Thursday, on Tyrella Beach in Downpatrick, Co Down.

He was rushed to hospital following the incident where he later died.

A man, 21, has been charged with grievous bodily harm in connection to the incident and is due to appear at Downpatrick Magistrates Court on Thursday July 25.

Tributes have been flooding in on social media for Darren, who has been described as a ‘really lovely lad’ and a ‘true Belfast gentleman’.

One relative wrote: ‘My heart is broken to a million pieces I can’t get over the fact that your really gone, far too early love you so much wee cousin I’m really gonna miss your cheeky wee smile and the laugh running up and down the hill laughing because you have forgot your car keys or only getting home from your night out [sic].’

A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course to determine the cause of death.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren McCartney said: ‘I would like to offer my sympathy to the family and friends of Darren at this very sad time.

‘Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding Darren’s death and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who has any information to contact detectives’.

He urged the public to call police on 101 quoting reference number 1913 27/06/19.