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Family pay tribute to ‘gentle giant’ killed in violent assault in Fallowfield

'There isn’t anyone who would say a bad word about Fintan'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th July 2024

The man at the centre of a murder probe in Fallowfield has been named as Fintan McDwyer, as his family issued an emotional tribute.

Fintan was pronounced dead at the scene at a property on Platt Lane on Monday 1 July.

It’s understood that he was the victim of a violent assault where he suffered serious and fatal injuries, believed to be caused by a sharp instrument.

A murder investigation has been launched by GMP.

His family have now paid a heartbreaking tribute to a ‘gentle giant’, saying that he was a ‘true gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour’.

They explained that Fintan had lost his ‘beloved wife’ 20 years ago, who would have been ‘so proud for the way he brought up his family’.

Their tribute said: “There isn’t anyone who would say a bad word about Fintan, and it breaks our hearts that he has been denied years to be with his sons and grandchildren.”

Officers are still appealing for information into the murder of Fintan McDwyer.

His family’s full tribute says: “Monday 1 July was the day that we lost our dad, grandad, brother and uncle and our lives have since been turned upside down. 

 “Our whole family is grieving the loss of Fintan. Our hearts are broken and will remain forever so, but the love we learned from Fintan will give us the strength to try and move forwards in our life without him. 

“Fintan was our own gentle giant, with a calm and reassuring presence. He had the most wonderful, soft, Irish lilt.

“He was a true gentleman, had a wonderful sense of humour, and always had a twinkle in his eye. 

“Fintan lost his beloved wife, Tracy, 20 years ago and she would be so proud of Fintan for the way he brought up his family. Just a few weeks ago he spent time with us in Blackpool in the caravan.

“He was a quiet man, who was very shy with such a dry sense of humour that we all loved so much. He loved his TV quizzes and was a big sports fan. Fintan loved his dog, Sammy, and was often seen with her walking her around the local area and parks. 

“There isn’t anyone who would say a bad word about Fintan, and it breaks our hearts that he has been denied years to be with his sons and grandchildren.

“He will never be forgotten, and he will continue to hold a very special place in our hearts. We always know he will be watching over us.

“Rest easy Fintan xxx

“We would like to thank family, friends, neighbours and the local community for the kind words we have received, and now request privacy as we grieve as a family.”

Detective Inspector Lee Shaw from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “There will be people who know what happened to Fintan, and we appeal to them to come forwards as soon as possible. In cases like this even the smallest piece of information can prove vital to the progression of our investigation.

“We continue to appeal to anyone who noticed anything suspicious on Platt Lane or in the surrounding areas from 7pm on Saturday 29 June up until the morning of Monday 1 July 2024 to get in touch with us.

“If you have any information or footage that could assist our investigation into this incident, please contact GMP on 0161 856 5415 quoting log 695 of 1/7/24.

“A dedicated portal has been set up and information, CCTV, dashcam, doorbell and phone images and footage can be submitted through the Major Incident Public Portal here: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

“You can also report information via www.gmp.police.uk or through the independent charity Crimestoppers – anonymously – on 0800 555 111.”

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Featured image: GMP

News

Def Leppard announce HUGE arena gig in Manchester next year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

English Glam Rock band Def Leppard have announced a brand new UK tour which features a stop in one of Manchester’s big arenas next year.

Known for hits like ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’, ‘Animal’, ‘Love Bites’ and more, Def Leppard are back on the road and they’re heading out on a UK tour.

The band has achieved worldwide acclaim since entering the rock scene with their first-ever single, ‘Wasted’, back in 1979, and their success resulted in getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

In 2023, Def Leppard teamed up with fellow metalheads Motley Crüe for the ultimate ‘Rock of Ages’, playing a spell-bounding gig at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 people.

The rock legends are continuing their career-highlight streak as now they’re about to play one of Manchester’s largest arenas, Co-op Live, sending 23,500 fans into ‘Hysteria’.

This upcoming Def Leppard UK tour sees the band making their way to Glasgow, Sheffield, London and Birmingham before visiting the music capital of the North.

The love for these rockers isn’t slowing down either, as their latest album ‘Drastic Symphonies’, a collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, scored Def Leppard their highest charting record in 32 years, debuting at number 4.

Fans will be over the moon to know that the five-piece visiting Co-op Live next year includes the same band lineup since 1992, with Joe Elliot, Rick Allen, Phil Collen, Rick Savage and Vivian Campbell playing out on the night.

The Rock Brigade will always make sure to remember Steve Clark, founding member and adorned- ‘Riffmaster’, and although the guitarist won’t be playing this innovative live music venue, fans will still give it their all for the current ‘Gods of War’.

These Sheffield-formed musicians have sold more than 110 million albums worldwide, so there will be no ‘Foolin’ around when it comes to screaming their lyrics at the top of your lungs next summer.

Def Leppard are coming to Co-op Live in Manchester on Monday 5 July, with tickets going on sale from 10am on Friday 5 September

You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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Bolton man jailed for life after killing ‘vulnerable’ woman and hiding her body in his shed

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man has been jailed for life after murdering a vulnerable woman and then proceeding to hide her body in a shed at his house in Bolton.

Christopher Barlow killed Mariann Borocz back in December 2024 after randomly meeting her at a shop and inviting her to his house, before killing her and then going on to dump her body in a locked shed in his garden.

55-year-old Mariann, who was originally from Hungary, was reported missing on Sunday 15 December having been last seen alive in the early hours of the previous day.

During the police search and investigation, CCTV showed Barlow following Mariann into a shop near his house and then back out again, and after Barlow was arrested on suspicion of assault on 23 December, officers found the keys to his shed – which is when they, sadly, discovered Mariann’s body.

Barlow was charged with murder, but the 63-year-old first denied this charge, and also denied any contact with Mariann.

The case was then handed over to Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Major Incident Team, led by Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten.

A three-week trial then began at Manchester Crown Court, and when forensic evidence linked Barlow to Mariann’s body, he then when on to admit during the trial that he had invited her into his house, and found her not breathing in his kitchen about 40 minutes later.

Despite maintaining he did dot murder her, the jury returned its guilty verdict after less than a day of deliberation.

Last week, Barlow was sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum term of 20 years behind bars.

Detective Sergeant Fiona Manning described this as a ‘harrowing’ investigation and subsequent trial for Mariann’s family.

“Barlow befriended Mariann and she believed she could trust him,” DS Manning said, “That could not have been further from reality.”

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DS Manning then assured that GMP remains ‘steadfast’ in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of women in Greater Manchester‘s communities, and will continue to work ‘tirelessly’ to uphold justice.

She concluded: “Women should be able to go out freely and without fear that something may happen to them.”

Featured Image – GMP

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