Girl, 8, now stable after father murdered at home as police reveal officers’ life-saving response

Superintendent Peter Stevenson, Mid Ulster District Commander, updating media on the murder and attempted murder investigation.

An eight-year-old girl who was severely injured in an incident in which her 61-year-old father was murdered at their Dungannon home is now in a stable condition, with police saying the actions of officers who rushed to the scene gave her a “fighting chance of survival”.

The PSNI has released significant new details about Saturday’s incident on Lisnahull Road, confirming the ages of the family members involved and revealing that a 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Detectives have been granted a further 36 hours by a court to question the teenager.

Officers found family inside home

Mid Ulster District Commander Superintendent Peter Stevenson said police received a report from a member of the public at just after 10.55am on Saturday 29 August concerning an ongoing disturbance at a house on Lisnahull Road.

He said:

“Officers arrived a short time later and discovered the body of a man aged 61, his 48-year-old wife, who had sustained non-life threatening injuries, and their severely injured eight-year-old daughter.

“Our officers immediately commenced first aid on the woman and girl – and I am in no doubt that their quick-thinking actions gave the young girl a fighting chance of survival. She is now in a stable condition in hospital.”

Personnel from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance subsequently attended and took the woman and child to hospital.

Police had previously said the girl was in a critical condition. The confirmation that she is now stable represents an important development in the aftermath of the incident.

16-year-old remains in police custody

Superintendent Stevenson confirmed:

“A 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in custody at this time. Our detectives were last night granted a court extension of a further 36 hours to question this male.”

No further details have been released about the teenager and police have urged the public to avoid speculation while detectives establish the circumstances surrounding what happened.

The PSNI has also confirmed that specialist officers are supporting the wider family and that police are liaising with the relevant Consulate.

Superintendent Stevenson said:

“First and foremost, I want to express my sympathies to the loved ones of this family who will inevitably be struggling to come to terms with this horrendous news.

“Specialist officers are supporting the wider family circle and we are liaising with the relevant Consulate. We would ask that the public avoid speculation.”

No ongoing risk to the public

Police have repeated their reassurance that they do not believe there is any wider threat to the community and are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation.

Superintendent Stevenson said:

“I want to repeat that we do not believe that there is any ongoing risk to the public and, at this stage, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

“However, please be assured, that you will continue to see an increased police presence in the area. We have a significant number of detectives and local policing officers dedicated to working on this case.

“We understand the public interest and concern and will continue to bring updates as our investigation progresses.”

Police are also engaging with local representatives and partner organisations as detectives work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Support for officers who attended scene

The PSNI has revealed that support is also being provided to the officers who were among the first to enter the scene and provide emergency first aid.

Superintendent Stevenson said:

“Early support has been provided to officers who attended this scene and their trauma-focused care will continue.”

The disclosure underlines the severity of the scene encountered by emergency responders and follows the senior officer’s acknowledgement that their immediate intervention may have helped save the eight-year-old girl’s life.

Police appeal for information

Detectives continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone who can assist should contact police on 101, quoting reference 564 29/08/26.

Information, photographs or relevant footage can also be submitted through the Major Incident Public Portal.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

Superintendent Stevenson said: “Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could prove crucial to our investigation.”

A substantial police investigation remains underway, but officers have sought to reassure the community that there is no identified ongoing risk and nobody else is currently being sought. The eight-year-old girl, who police say was given a “fighting chance of survival” by the first officers at the scene, is now stable in hospital.