Cookstown deaths: Hotel owner arrested after three teenagers killed in St Patrick’s Day crush

Officers trace more than 160 witnesses as investigation into disaster continues

The owner of the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown, Northern Ireland has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, after three teenagers were killed in a crush outside the building on Sunday.

Michael McElhatton was arrested on Tuesday, his spokesperson said.

A second man, understood to be a member of the popular nightspot’s door staff, was also arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Both men remain in police custody.

Connor Currie, aged 16 and Lauren Bullock and Morgan Bernard, both aged 17, died in the crush outside a St Patrick’s Day disco held at the hotel.

“Initial CCTV viewing would lead us to estimate that perhaps as many as 400 people were in the queue or car park at that time,” Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), said.

Some youngsters were trampled underfoot while they waited for entry. Investigators said it was fortunate more were not killed.

Earlier on Monday a spokesperson for the PSNI said detectives had traced more than 160 witnesses who were at the hotel.

“[We] have have already spoken to a number of young people who were in the queue at the Greenvale Hotel on Sunday night. Arrangements have been made to speak to many more over the coming days,” Mr Murray said.

“A number of parents have indicated they are concerned that their children, who may have been underage, were trying to enter a licensed premises.

“I want to reassure you, the focus of our investigation is not the age of people who were at the event – it is about trying to find answers for the families of the three teenagers who tragically died.”

“I would urge parents to talk with your children, support them and encourage them to come forward and tell their story to police so we can get an accurate picture of events that night.

“Talk to your children, reassure them – we know they may be scared – but again I can assure you we are only interested in establishing what happened. Their account of events on Sunday night could be crucial to establishing how Connor, Lauren and Morgan died.”

People left flowers, in tribute to the victims, at the Greenvale Hotel throughout the day on Tuesday.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dungannon police by calling 101, extension 53055